Syracuse men’s basketball: what to watch for vs Hofstra

The Syracuse Orange (6-3) have a quick turnaround as the Hofstra Pride (7-4) are in the JMA Dome this afternoon for a non-conference matchup. The game is 4:00 on the ACC Network and here’s what we’re looking for later today:

Max: Defend the three

Hofstra shoots above average from beyond the arc (35%, 117th per KenPom), and will be the second-best three-point shooting team that Syracuse has faced this season (Iowa State). Limiting the long ball has certainly been a strength for the Orange defense, holding opponents to a 29% clip from long distance so far. The Pride should be overmatched down low with SU’s similarly dominant two-point defense (42.6%, seventh-best), so look for the visitors to lean on the outside shot to pull off the upset.

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Sam: Hofstra’s guards

Syracuse’s guards have taken a step up defending the perimeter this year and matchup up with opposing guards. Hofstra has the two best guards that the Orange will face from now until ACC play starts in Preston Edmead and Cruz Davis. Will the Orange overlook the Pride, or assert their dominance?

Dom: Kiyan finding his groove again

Sam pointed this out rightfully in the takeaways for the Saint Joseph’s game, but Kiyan Anthony is in a scoring slump right now. He went 1/6 against the Hawks. While is over 42% overall from the field this year, Anthony is a combined 13/48 (27%) on the shots he’s taken over his last six games, and for the season he’s shooting under 24% from three. Once the ACC schedule comes around, even with Freeman returning, Anthony will need to be a vital scoring piece against those conference opponents.

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Kevin: Rebounding

Hofstra comes into this game with 125 offensive rebounds in 11 games. Victory Onuelu and SIlas Sunday have combined for  54 of those. The Orange guards need to be more engaged on the defensive glass in this one. This should be a close, tough game and Syracuse has to limit the extra possessions they are giving opponents.

Szuba: Offense and long ball