After the recent game against Virginia Tech, Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim faced scrutiny regarding his team’s performance and strategies. In a postgame press conference, Virginia Tech’s head coach Mike Young shed light on his observations about Syracuse, specifically focusing on the challenges posed by players like Donnie Freeman and Kyle III.
Young assessed Freeman as a dominant right-hand driver, emphasizing the need for defenders to pressure him on his shooting hand. This strategy seemed effective, as evidenced by Freeman’s disappointing performance, marking one of his weakest outings this season. Such a one-dimensional view of a key player may raise questions about his overall versatility on the court.
In addition, Coach Young commented on Syracuse’s Kyle III, suggesting that Virginia Tech found success targeting him at the rim. Despite many within the Syracuse fanbase praising Kyle as a potent defensive asset, his performance, reflected in a -9 plus/minus rating, prompted discussions about whether he truly imposes a significant threat defensively, especially when opponents have a clear game plan to exploit his deficiencies.
A crucial moment discussed postgame was a missed rebound opportunity late in the match, where Syracuse could have gained possession to attempt a tying three-pointer. Many fans expressed frustration over Kyle not being present during that sequence. With Syracuse lacking timeouts, a hypothetical rebound by Kyle could have put him at the free-throw line, a scenario the Orange would likely prefer to avoid.
Throughout the game, Boeheim’s use of star player JJ Starling came under scrutiny. Young highlighted the persistent threat Starling poses, indicating he has been a source of concern for opposing teams over the past three years. However, Starling’s utilization was a point of contention as he found himself limited to just six minutes in the first half due to foul troubles. Despite showing capability by scoring 12 points in the second half, questions remain as to whether the coaching staff capitalizes fully on his potential.
As Syracuse reflects on this tough loss, there are concerns about maximizing team strengths and adapting strategies to ensure that key players like Starling become central figures throughout the game rather than waiting for sporadic opportunities. This loss serves as a moment for recalibration, pushing the team to reassess its approach moving forward.