College Basketball

Syracuse Basketball: Virginia Game Preview

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 12:32 a.m. ET

Fansided, Josh Peelman/FanSided via Inside the Loud House

Feb 1, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; Syracuse Orange guard John Gillon (4) drives to the basket as North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) defends during the second half at PNC Arena. Syracuse won 100-93 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Syracuse Basketball is riding a three game win streak and things are not as bleak as they once were. Sure, the Orange are not out of the woods yet, but they have certainly been playing much improved the last few games.

During this win streak, Syracuse basketball has beat a decent Wake Forest club, toppled a top-ten foe

Syracuse Basketball head coach Jim Boeheim during his 900 win celebration in 2012. The NCAA though currently says he has 898 wins. Weird right? Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

in #6 Florida State, and got their first road win of the season at NC State. Up next is a match up with #9 Virginia Cavaliers who are 17-4 this year.

Now, technically Syracuse University is not supposed to address this, as Neil Adler does here at Inside the Loud House, but there’s more on the line in this game than most people know about. Jim Boeheim is going for win number 1,000 tomorrow. The NCAA vacated 108 wins due to sanctions, so he really he sits at 898 wins, but as Troy Nunes writer Ben Sigel says, “The NCAA be damned.”

For those faithful Syracuse fans who are still counting how many games Jim Boeheim has coached that the opposing team has lost (which the NCAA does not vacate), then he has done so 999 times. Jay Bilas thanks for reminding us:

Next: What about the last time these two teams played?

Last Year’s Matchup- NCAA Tournament

Syracuse fans like me who are still dreaming of a tournament bid this year are hoping for a repeat of last years Elite 8 match up. In that game the Orange pressed late in the game for about a solid five minutes which led to an impressive comeback victory for the Orange, 68-62, which put us in the Final Four.

Syracuse Orange players celebrate after defeating the Virginia Cavalier in the midwest regional of the NCAA Tournament. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Now some would just say that game was a fluke, and Malachi Richardson was just suddenly a miracle worker, which could possibly be true, but what if its wasn’t a fluke? What if this team had the same weapons this year if not better? We have most of the same players who can press if needed. We have a better sharpshooter in Andrew White replacing Malachi, and a better true point guard in John Gillon than Trevor Cooney.

In the oppositions defense though, our defense is not nearly as solid this year as in years past. That can happen though when you have two starters who were grad transfers and are still learning the 2-3 zone’s intricacies.

Advantage: Syracuse (maybe?)

Guards

Battle & Gillon Vs. Perrantes & Hall

As Zachary Weisleder said a few days ago, as John Gillon goes so does the Orange. This may hold true in this matchup. Now I hate saying this, but Gillon will probably be matched up across from London Perrantes.

One thing you should know about Perrantes is that he is an outstanding on-ball defender, and in my opinion one of the best I’ve seen in recent years. He is a very capable shooter to boot and can hit daggers from three in clutch moments. He has a couple inches on Gillon too which may complicate things.

John Gillon driving against Virginia Tech. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports

Gillon is nifty though and when he gets going he’s hard to slow down. The key for Gillon will probably be distributing the ball which we all know he is very capable of. If he can hit a couple threes and drive when the opportunity presents itself then the Orange will be in good hands.

During Syracuse’s three game winning streak he has 26 assists, which is about 8 assists a game. If he can continue to distribute like that, then it will make it easier for Battle, White, and Lydon to pick up the slack scoring wise if he struggles against Perrantes.

Devon Hall is not to be overlooked though as he can drive to the hoop and can shoot decently from mid-range. Tyus Battle in my opinion though is just as good an athlete/scorer (if not better) and a very capable defender, so I expect a pretty even battle (no pun intended) in that match up. Still, with Perrantes heading the Virginia attack at the point its going to be a tough guard match up for the Orange.

Advantage: Virginia

Forwards/Center

Lydon, Thompson, Roberson & White vs. Wilkins, Shayok, Reuter, & Salt

The Orange have done well in the last few games at fixing the problems on their back line. Taurean Thompson who was missing guys behind him before is finally recognizing where teams like to get the ball against him when he plays center. He is blocking shots more, and his offensive shots have been a lot smarter.

Tyler Lydon as always has been solid, getting what seems like a double-double in rebounds and points almost every game. Its his hustle on the boards and his blocking ability below the hoop that keeps our defense honest.

Andrew White has been incredible shooting the ball, especially from three the last few games.

Tyler Roberson shoot against North Carolina. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

He has been a consistent scoring threat all year. That is exactly what the Orange needed after Malachi Richardson departed last year.

The key forward that might turn the tide of this game though may be none other than Tyler Roberson. He has finally awoken to the tune of 10 rebounds combined in the last two games. He is playing smarter committing less fouls and hitting the deck on loose balls. We need him to crash those boards and block shots on the wing because he’s our defensive spark plug. When he plays well it helps our transition game which the Orange have done well at the last few games.

On the other side, Virginia has only two that really could cause problems in my eyes; Shayok, and Wilkins. Both are capable defenders who can block shots and can occasionally make a few buckets after a good pass. If Syracuse can make shots in the paint versus Virginia’s front court then Syracuse can possibly pull the upset.

Advantage: Syracuse

Otto and I predict Syracuse pulls this one out. Orange Win. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Prediction:

Personally I’m torn on this game on who to root for because my hometown is Charlottesville, Virginia where the Cavaliers are from, but living in Syracuse the last 17 years made me a huge Syracuse Basketball fan: so I’m going with the Orange.

Leaving my emotions aside, my gut tells me the Orange squeak out another top ten win and beat Virginia. My reasons for this are fourfold:

1) The Orange have been amazing at home this year going 13-2.

2) Gillon knows it’s his ball in crunch time time now, so if its close, expect the ball in his hands to put the game away. He has been great at the foul line as well going 27-28 in the last two games.

3) In addition, Gillon and White have been on a tear the last few games. Both have posted career highs in points over the last few games.

4) The Cavaliers have four losses this year, and two of them are on the road.

Lastly, since its a Saturday as well, I expect a loud Dome full of fans supporting Syracuse. That will hopefully help push them over the edge.

Prediction: Syracuse 63-54