Coach: Jim Boeheim

Syracuse entered its last season in the Big East with a roster missing four key players from the previous season. Nevertheless there was still high expectations on Jim Boeheim’s program, as the team started the year ranked #9 in the country.

Sophomore Michael Carter-Williams would get his chance to finally shine as the starting point guard, and senior Brandon Triche would be his backcourt mate. C.J. Fair and Rakeem Christmas both returned, and hopes were that both would continue to improve. Big freshman DaJuan Coleman started at center.

Syracuse hoped that the bench would be productive with sharpshooters James Southerland and Trevor Cooney, big man Baye Keita and freshman forward Jerami Grant all expected to contribute.

Syracuse’s season started off in the Carrier Classic about the aircraft carrier USS Midway against #20 San Diego State. The outdoor game was marred by a strong breeze and a glaring sun, that made perimeter shooting nearly impossible, and shooting at the west end of the court tough. Syracuse’s would use it’s superior ability to drive to the hoop to win the game 62-49, relying almost exclusively on short shots, while San Diego State shot 1 of 18 from three point range.

The Orange would run their record to 10-0 and a #3 ranking with easy dominating wins. James Southerland would put on a shooting clinic down in Arkansas, scoring 35 points against the Razorbacks in the Big East/ SEC challenge. Carter-Williams with have double digit assists in eight of the first ten games.

The Orange would hit a temporary bump in the road in a close 83-79 loss to Temple at Madison Square Garden. Carter-Williams, who had been brilliant all season, had a horrendous offensive game hitting only 3 of 17 shots, and making only 7 of 15 free throws. Meanwhile, his Owl counterpart, Khalif Wyatt scored 33 points, including going 15 for 15 from the free throw line.

Syracuse would correct itself win its next 8 games to run its season record to 18-1. More bad news would hit the team as Southerland would be suspended January 10th, for six games while the university tried to figure out some academic problems. Syracuse would travel down to Louisville on January 19th and beat the #1 ranked Cardinals 70-68. Syracuse would then lose to Villanova on January 26th when the Wildcats hits a three point shot as time expired to send the game into overtime.

DaJuan Coleman would injure his knee in that game, and would miss several games following. Syracuse would lose to Pitt 65-55 down in Pittsburgh, in a game that Pitt physically dominated the Orange.

Southerland would return for the St. John’s game on February 10th, but the Orange were in a funk offensively. Southerland was not able to make his shots, nor was Triche. Cooney had never emerged as a three point shooting threat, and opponents were giving the Orange a heavy dose of zone defense.

Syracuse would lose four of its last five games of the season, including an embarrassing 61-39 loss to Georgetown, a game where Syracuse had its lowest scoring since 1962. They had also lost to Georgetown 57-46 on February 23 rd in front of a Carrier Dome record 35,012 fans.

The Orange limped into their final Big East Tournament with their confidence low. However, strong defensive play and an outstanding shooting performance throughout the tournament by Southerland made a big difference. In their first tournament game they were down to Seton Hall by 12 points early. However, the Orange cranked up their vaunted zoned defense, and ended up running away with the game 75-63 over the Pirates. They met Pittsburgh in the next game, and jumped out to a big first half lead. The Panthers would slowly pull back into the game, but Carter-Williams made some great defensive plays down the stretch and some clutch free throws to allow the Orange to win 62-59. Southerland ened up going six for six from three point range in the game.

Syracuse then met rival Georgetown in the Big East Semi-Finals. The Orange again jumped out to a big lead. The Hoyas slowly pulled back into the game, and sent it into overtime. However, the Orange had complete control of the overtime period and easily won 57-46. Syracuse would have a 16 point second half lead over Louisville in the Big East finals, before Louisville went on a 28-3 run, and blew the game wide open, with the Cardinals easily winning 78-61. Southerland would set a Big East Tournament record with 19 three point baskets made.

Syracuse entered the NCAA tournament with their confidence high, and it showed. They easily took care of their first round opponent Montana with an 81-34 lead. The Syracuse zone defense was absolutely stifling. Syracuse easily handled California in the second round, though Cal scored some points late to make it look closer at 66-60. Syracuse would then beat #1 seed Indiana 61-50 in the Sweet Sixteen, totally disrupting the Hoosier’s offense. The Syracuse zone defense was making news across the country of how much it was disorienting the opposition.

Syracuse would meet Big East foe Marquette in the Elite Eight, and would set an NCAA tournament record by holding Marquette to only 39 points, lowest point total by any team in then Elite Eight since the shot clock era started.

Syracuse would move on to its 5th Final Four against the Michigan Wolverines and Trey Burke, the NCAA National Player of the Year. Michigan would jump to a 36-25 halftime lead behind some stifling defense of its own, and some sharp shooting perimeter shots. Center Mitch McGary was emerging as a dominant center in the NCAA tournament, and continued to do so against the Orange with his shot blocking, rebounding, medium range shooting and passing.

The Orange stayed in their zone, and in the second half they pulled the game within reach. Syracuse had some chances to put on some runs, but their perimeter shooting never quite emerged. C.J. Fair was carrying the Syracuse offensive burden with 22 points. Syracuse shutdown Michigan’s Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr, but the Wolverines had the same success with shutting down Carter-Williams and Southerland.

Carter-Williams would pick up his fourth foul on a questionable blocking call late in the game, and with a couple minutes to go he fouled out. Triche took over the leadership, and the Orange kept attacking. The game was a one point game, but the Orange could not get over it. Triche would foul out with less than a minute to go. The Orange had a chance on their last possession to tie the game with a three point shot, but without either play maker on the court, they struggled to get the ball to the right shooters, and Cooney had to take a desperation three point heave that was well short. Michigan would go on to win 61-56.

© RLYoung 2012-2013