The Syracuse Orange (5-5) are back in Brooklyn this weekend to face the Maryland Terrapins (9-2) in the Nutrafol Gotham Classic at the Barclays Center. The game tips off at Noon on ESPN and here's what we're watching for on Saturday:
Kevin: Control the tempo
I've been pushing for the Orange to play faster but against a team that's averaging 87 points per game, it would be smarter for Syracuse to slow down. The best chance for an upset win is to make this game a lower-scoring grind out style. Can the Orange use some of their size inside to get talented freshman Derik Queen in foul trouble? I don't think the Orange have a chance at trying to out-run Maryland, so playing slow and hoping the Terps get impatient could be the way to go.
Max: Crash the glass
The Terrapins only allow 4.2 percent of their shot attempts to be blocked per KenPom (the lowest rate in the country), so it's safe to say UMD will be getting tons of opportunities against a questionable Orange defense. Maryland isn't as dominant on the glass, so Syracuse must control the boards if it wants any shot in this game. Hoping for misses and limiting second chances isn't the greatest game plan, but it's better than nothing.
Sam: At the rim
When people talk about Derik Queen, they mention his feel and versatility, but always seem to forget how dominant of a player he is at the rim. He shot 71% on rim attempts during his senior year at Montverde, and is currently at 77% for Maryland. Syracuse's rim protection has been nonexistent, with a 9th percentile field goal percentage at the rim. But it's not just Queen that can cause problems, because Ja'Kobi Gillespie might be the best rim finishing guard in the country aside from Dylan Harper. He's at nearly 70% at the rim, and blows by defenders with a wicked first step. Selton Miguel, Julian Reese, and Tafara Gapare are all around 70% at the rim as well, so Syracuse's defense has to worry about rim pressure from all angles.
Dom: Control the paint
Regardless of the other factors, this is all going to come down to which team is going to establish itself around the basket -- points in the paint, rebounds, getting freebies at the line and drawing attention to kick out to shooters. As Sam mentioned, Queen's efficiency and the quality play so far from most of Maryland's rotation when it comes to getting to the basket has been great this year. Syracuse itself has played its best on offense when it can score inside. If the Orange can't do that at an efficient rate (especially since Maryland's perimeter shooting has way more upside right now than Syracuse), it's going to be a long afternoon.