BIG EAST GAME PREVIEW: SYRACUSE @ VILLANOVA

February 7, 2009


Another big game in the Big East matches 6-3 Villanova against 6-4 Syracuse at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia. The Wildcats, since dropping an 89-83 decision at No.1 Connecticut, have reeled off four consecutive wins, including a 10-point victory over Pittsburgh. In their last game, Scottie Reynolds scored 31 and Dante Cunningham, Reggie Redding and Dwayne Anderson all had double-doubles as the Wildcats held off a late Providence rally for a 94-91 win on the road.

Syracuse looked to be headed in the opposite direction as the Orange had dropped four of five following a 4-0 conference start. Syracuse got back on the right track Wednesday night with a 74-61 home win over West Virginia in the Dome.

Here are some pregame stories and previews found on the internet:
Wildcats Pace Appears to be Good Enough (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Syracuse has been hit hard by injuries, but are slowly coming back to health. Andy Rautins returned from an ankle injury to play 21 minutes in the win versus WVU and Arinze Onuaku was a little more productive in Wednesday’s game than he was in the loss to Providence a week earlier. Still, Onuaku’s problems with tendonitis in his knee are likely to linger and figuring out how healthy he is from game to game will be a chore. It is not good news for the Orange as the junior big man is tough to move in the paint and is the only player SU has to bang against some of the beef found in the Big East.

With Onuaku limited and Rautins finding his stroke from the perimeter again, the offensive burden falls back to the SU guards and against WVU Jonny Flynn and Eric Devendorf were up to the task, combining for 44 points in the win. They will find things much tougher against a physical defensive unit that makes up the ‘Nova backcourt. Sophomore Corey Fisher is starting to make his name as a top-notch defender and Reggie Redding already enters the game known as one of the better perimeter defenders in the Big East. Syracuse will likely try to isolate Paul Harris and have him use his size and strength to over power his defender to score points.

Syracuse will employ their standard 2-3 zone defense. The veteran Reynolds should have a better idea of how to attack and find the gaps than WVU did, setting up perimeter shooters like Corey Stokes and Anderson to knock down some three’s on their home floor.

With a gimpy Onuaku, Villanova’s ability to extend pressure in the backcourt is even more of an advantage as SU is more unlikely to take advantage of one-on-one mismatches inside. Paul Harris is likely to have a good game if he can put the ball on the floor under control and get into the lane, but the Villanova defense is likely to control other SU options. Offensively, ‘Nova will look to hit the gaps of the zone and knock down their shots when the opportunity arises.

It should be a good game, but in the end, Villanova’s defense carries them to a win.

NBE Blogger Prediction:

Villanova 70
Syracuse 65