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The Daily OrangeMBB | Robert Morris' deep attack falls short against SU zone
By Zach Schonbrun and John Clayton
Posted: 3/19/08, 2:01 AM EST Section: Sports
It's safe to say Robert Morris is like no team Syracuse has faced all season.
With no starter taller than 6-foot-6 A.J. Jackson - and three guards shorter than 6-foot-1 - the Colonials present a unique look for a Big East team used to matching up against giants.
And when Jackson hit two 3-pointers in the game's first six minutes, it was clear the Orange would have to adjust its format.
"It's crazy," SU guard Paul Harris said. "A couple of times I think they had five out. Some teams put three or four, but they had five players outside the 3-point line so it was tough moving back and forth."
Forty-one of Robert Morris's 64 shots on Tuesday came from beyond the arc, with Jackson and guard Jeremy Chappell each hitting five. By halftime, the Colonials had attempted 20 3-pointers. They finished shooting 16-for-41 from deep for the game.
"The problem is if you play zone they're going to get shots, and you've got to get them as contested as you can," SU head coach Jim Boeheim said. "And the theory is they're putting four guys on the perimeter, and that's how they're going to get shots."
Syracuse's defensive struggles, Boeheim said, stemmed not from its play in defending the shots but preventing second-chance opportunities. He was astounded by the Orange's inability to rebound against a smaller team like Robert Morris. The Colonials picked up 14 offensive boards, many of which led to 3-pointers.
SU was never able to hold onto a sizeable lead because of the Colonials adept 3-point shooting. Back-to-back 3's by Jimmy Langhurst cut an 81-73 lead to just three in a little more than a minute. And SU's 57-48 lead early in the second half was reduced to one, 59-58, in four minutes.
Robert Morris played a different style of basketball, and it may have caught the Orange a little by surprise.
"It's tough," SU guard Scoop Jardine said. "It was crazy. We had to spread out. They tried to spread us out so when they drove we had to send them into the big men and get out to the shooters."
With no starter taller than 6-foot-6 A.J. Jackson - and three guards shorter than 6-foot-1 - the Colonials present a unique look for a Big East team used to matching up against giants.
And when Jackson hit two 3-pointers in the game's first six minutes, it was clear the Orange would have to adjust its format.
"It's crazy," SU guard Paul Harris said. "A couple of times I think they had five out. Some teams put three or four, but they had five players outside the 3-point line so it was tough moving back and forth."
Forty-one of Robert Morris's 64 shots on Tuesday came from beyond the arc, with Jackson and guard Jeremy Chappell each hitting five. By halftime, the Colonials had attempted 20 3-pointers. They finished shooting 16-for-41 from deep for the game.
"The problem is if you play zone they're going to get shots, and you've got to get them as contested as you can," SU head coach Jim Boeheim said. "And the theory is they're putting four guys on the perimeter, and that's how they're going to get shots."
Syracuse's defensive struggles, Boeheim said, stemmed not from its play in defending the shots but preventing second-chance opportunities. He was astounded by the Orange's inability to rebound against a smaller team like Robert Morris. The Colonials picked up 14 offensive boards, many of which led to 3-pointers.
SU was never able to hold onto a sizeable lead because of the Colonials adept 3-point shooting. Back-to-back 3's by Jimmy Langhurst cut an 81-73 lead to just three in a little more than a minute. And SU's 57-48 lead early in the second half was reduced to one, 59-58, in four minutes.
Robert Morris played a different style of basketball, and it may have caught the Orange a little by surprise.
"It's tough," SU guard Scoop Jardine said. "It was crazy. We had to spread out. They tried to spread us out so when they drove we had to send them into the big men and get out to the shooters."
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