SU defense has its way with Maine
SYRACUSE — It took what sophomore guard Scoop Jackson called a "blip on our radar" to turn this Syracuse University basketball team into a defensive behemoth.
And now that the eighth-ranked Orange is so committed as a team to playing suffocating defense, all the other facets of SU's game are in an unbelievable rhythm.
As if the first seven games of the season weren't enough evidence, allowing just two teams to shoot over 40 percent, SU's team defensive performance Saturday night was even a step above the norm.
Maine, a 3-3 team coming off a 10-point win at Colgate two days ago, looked like a junior varsity club trying to attack SU's 2-3 zone during a 101-55 loss in the Carrier Dome.
"I've seen some good defenses over the years," said sixth-year Maine head coach Ted Woodward. "But Syracuse's was at the top of the list. They are so long, so active and have so many incredible athletes, we just couldn't get a decent shot (the first half). I thank (SU coach) Jim (Boeheim) for letting us get to 50 points in the second half."
Check out these first-half defensive numbers for SU: Maine, a 45 percent shooting team coming in, hit 12.9 percent (4-for-31) in the opening 20 minutes. That included 2-for-12 from 3-point range.
In that span, SU blocked eight shots, accumulated eight steals and turned 12 Bears turnovers into 17 points.
In one unbelievable stretch, SU scored 32 consecutive points, holding Maine without a point for nearly 11 minutes and stretching a 26-10 lead to 58-12 with just over 30 seconds left before halftime.
"We were searching for an identity after that LeMoyne game (an exhibition loss to the Division II team), and I think we've found it," said SU senior guard Andy Rautins, who scored only eight points but had nine assists and four of the team's 12 steals. "Everybody enjoys playing defense, our focus is terrific and we're not allowing teams to get into any kind of flow, especially early in games."
In the past, games like this, where SU was heavily favored, the Orange often struggled to maintain its intensity on defense. Not this club.
"We make sure to focus on defense no matter who the opponent is," said Jardine, who had 10 points and seven assists off the SU bench. "Coach said we need little victories during the game. That's why we're coming out so intense."
Boeheim's explanation of why this year's defense is so much better than past teams is pretty simple.
"We're bigger, especially at guard, and it's just tough to get the ball inside against us," he said. "And Wes (Johnson) is now able to block shots that in other years were two points for the other team. Now, we're converting the blocks into points."
SU finished with a season-high 14 blocks Saturday, including four each by Johnson and freshman center DaShonte Riley.
The other formula working so well for the Orange is its unselfishness and ability to hit the open man.
After a season-high 35 assists versus Colgate last Monday, SU distributed 28 Saturday, with seven different players having at least two. Not surprisingly, the Orange leads the nation in assists at a little over 23 per game.
"Everybody is thinking pass first," said Johnson, the mercurial transfer from Iowa State. "It's so exciting and so much fun when you know if you get open, someone will find you."
SU hit 41 of 63 from the floor versus Maine, including 12-for-23 on 3-pointers.
"It's a very unselfish team," Boeheim said. "And when we're hitting the open man, we're knocking down a lot of shots. That opens the inside for so many easy baskets."
Freshman guard Brandon Triche led SU with 16 points. Sophomore forward Kris Joseph and senior center Arinze Onuaku each scored 14, sophomore guard Mookie Jones finished with 12 and freshman James Southerland netted 10 points.
SU will next receive one of its sternest tests of the young season when it travels to Tampa, Fla., on Thursday for a game against undefeated No. 13 Florida in the Big East/SEC Challenge.
Johnson said SU's defensive mind-set must keep carrying the Orange, especially when the competition gets stiffer.
"There's no reason to let down against anyone," Johnson said. "Now people realize how good a defensive team we are and they have to prepare for us much differently."
