Miami basketball travels to Syracuse: Game Information

Other than the win over Wake Forest the Hurricanes have struggled in the second half in ACC Games. Canes Warning examined that with the Loud House.

"“(Miami) went up 30-15 (in the first half) at Louisville before the lead was cut to 41-40 at halftime and then lost 90-73. In ACC games the Hurricanes have outscored opponents 184-180 in the opening 20 minutes and been (outscored) 215-185 in the second half. It’s critical for them (Miami) to get off to a great start and be able to hold the lead to get a win.”"

The game could be a battle of attrition between Miami’s normally good three-point shooting and Syracuse’s success defending it with their unusual matchup zone defense. We discussed that as well with the Loud House.

"“The Hurricanes enter Thursday night’s game fourth in the ACC in three-point shooting at 36.1 percent. Syracuse is third in the conference in three-point percentage defense at 29.4 percent.”"

While the game is a battle of Jims, Miami’s Larranaga and Syracuse’s Boeheim, it could also be a battle of one basketball Hall of Famer and one future one. Jim Larranaga belongs in the Hall of Fame. Larranaga’s 612 wins are 34th all time and ninth among active in Division I.

Boeheim’s 1040 career wins is second only to Mike Krzyzewski. Canes Warning discussed Larranaga belonging in the Hall of Fame two years ago. Six active coaches are in the Hall of Fame. There are currently 23 Coaches in the Hall of Fame with 600 career wins.

Syracuse usually has a tight bench, but this season nine Orange players are averaging at least ten minutes per game. One of those players is Boeheim’s son Buddy. Buddy Boeheim has played in 16 of the Orange’s 18 games and averages 4.3 points per game.