Lately, it’s been a tale of terrible fate for getting the Syracuse and Louisville men’s basketball teams to square off. SU is set to play Louisville for the first time in two years on Saturday.
In March of 2020, the two squads’ meeting in the ACC Tournament was canceled due to the early rise of the coronavirus. Then last season, luck didn’t change much and both scheduled contests were postponed for positive COVID-19 tests among Louisville’s team.
The last time they actually did face off in February 2020, the then 11th ranked Cardinals crushed the Orange 90-66. Back then, SU was sitting at a record of 14-12 (7-8 Atlantic Coast).
Fast-forward to today, both Syracuse and Louisville hold overall records of 11-11 and neither team sits in the top 25. Additionally, both squads have just five conference wins. Aside from even records, Louisville might have a rebounding advantage over SU.
The Cardinals’ Malik Williams is the ACC’s third best rebounder, averaging 8.7 rebounds per game. In scoring defense, Louisville allows opponents about 69 points per game, while Syracuse is last in the league, allowing about 75.
But, an issue has arised for the ‘Cards. Williams, the program’s first ever three-time captain, was suspended indefinitely earlier this week. Mike Pegue, Louisville’s interim head coach, said that Williams would see the court for failing to meet certain team standards. Pegue announced on Monday that if Williams decided to follow standards and leadership requirements, he would be welcomed back.
The captain did not partake in Louisville’s game against UNC on Tuesday and his presence for Saturday is still unclear.
Louisville fell to North Carolina 90-83 in overtime. This was UofL’s fourth consecutive loss. In its last eight games, all have been defeats except for one. And in these four recent losses, the ‘Cards averaged about 41% shooting from the field and nearly 40% beyond the arc.
On the other hand, the Orange are on their first conference game winning streak this year and first winning streak in general since December. Last Saturday, SU dominated Wake Forest 94-72, its highest scoring ACC game this year. On Tuesday, the Orange defeated NC State 89-82.
All five of Syracuse’s starters exceeded 15 points over the Wolfpack with Cole Swider and Jesse Edwards securing 19 each.
Syracuse 86, NC State 82 | 0:57 2H
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) February 3, 2022
Cole Swider is 4-4 from three and now has a team-high 19 points for the Orange.
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In Syracuse’s last two wins, it averaged 58% field shooting and almost 55% three point shooting. But taking the Orange’s two poor losses to Duke and Pittsburgh prior to the wins into account, SU’s shooting from the field drops down to nearly 45% for the last four games.
With even records all around and fairly similar average shooting statistics for both teams in the last four games, Saturday could be a toss up in the Dome. WAER’s coverage for the 2 P.M. game will begin with GZA Countdown to Tipoff at 1:30.