It has been a trying year for Syracuse women’s basketball (7-8, 1-4 ACC) who faces a stalwart in the ACC: 3rd-ranked Louisville (13-1, 3-0 ACC).
The Cardinals have found consistency in ways all too familiar to the Orange. Three different Cards post double-figure scoring averages, all headlined by forward Emily Engstler. The former SU captain is averaging a near-double-double with her new team at 10.6 points and 8.4 rebounds. One of the keys, says acting Head Coach Vonn Read, is controlling the glass.
“We’ve got some quick athletic players,” said Read after a December 18 win against UMBC. “It’s a collective effort.”
Last time out, Syracuse out-rebounded Duke 47-35, but fell short in 74-65 fashion. The Orange can rest assured knowing the rebounding battle is likely already won. On average, Syracuse gobbles up twice as many rebounds per game as Louisville.
“If we crash (the paint), the odds of us getting rebounds is higher,” said Alaysia Styles after Syracuse’s most recent loss to Duke. “The difference between games in the past and today is that we all kind of did the little things, and one of those things is crashing for rebounds.”
Hustle and heart are intangible skills that can provide a team with a deciding edge. But sometimes, it’s better to be lucky than good, and the Orange have been dealt tough break after tough break, primarily by the sharp-shooting Gods.
In that same loss to Duke, SU shot a meager 31.9% from the field, and 22.2% (4/18) on three-pointers. But what the consistency boils down to, according to Adam Cohen, a Syracuse women’s basketball beat reporter for CitrusTV, is their lack of consistency.
The Orange out-rebounded the Blue Devils 47-35. Cuse fought hard to the end, but ultimately the shooting was the killer. 31.9% from the field. Definitely work to be done, but certainly an encouraging game against a top-25 team.
— Adam Cohen (@A_Cohen6) January 9, 2022
🔵 : 74 - 🍊 : 65 | FINAL@CitrusTVSports
“Their overall shooting just isn’t very good, and they shot horrifically over the past two games especially,” said Cohen. “They lack consistency.”
The Orange can have their way on the glass with Louisville, but a shooting break may be necessary to uproot one of the nation’s five best squads. Syracuse has failed to shoot over 40% from beyond the three-point line in over a calendar month, having last done so against Clemson in a 13/28 shooting masterclass.
Relying on a hot shooting night might not serenade the ears of longtime Syracuse women’s basketball fans; and nor will having to rely on hustle. With so many factors impeding on SU’s season, they’ll need to find solace on the glass— and shoot the lights out— in order to have a chance against the third-ranked team in the country: Louisville.
The Orange and Cardinals tip off at 7 p.m. today. Tune into WAER at 6:30 for pregame coverage.