CBE Classic Final Preview

Syracuse Orange vs. Kansas Jayhawks

I will attempt to preview this game based on what I saw last night. And here we go:

Backcourt: Lots of options here for Syracuse. Jonny Flynn led this team in scoring last year and is averaging 20 a game this year. Paul Harris had 18 last night in the win over Florida. Devendorf is back after an ACL sidelined him last year and can score in a variety of ways. Andy Rautins lit it up from three last night. Between this group, there's a enough shooters and quick guys that scoring shouldn't be a problem. For Kansas, Sherron Collins has stepped up and become an offensive leader (19.7 pts a game). After that, it's a ragtag group of young guys who all share minutes and points. Freshman Tyshawn Taylor has started the past two games for the Jayhawks and had 10 last night in their win. In comparison, Kansas may be better as a group defensively but the offensive firepower gives this one to the Orange.

Advantage: Orange

Frontcourt: Arinze Onawaku anchors the frontline for the Orange. The junior is strong an athletic, and it shows in his rebounding and scoring. After that, there's not a lot. Kris Joseph's been playing good minutes for them but he isn't very big. Kristof Ongenaet started for them yesterday and gave good hustle minutes but isn't a big scoring threat. The Orange frontcourt (besides Onawaku) is mainly there for rebounding and defensive support (keep in mind the defense hasn't been stellar for the Orange this year). Kansas is somewhat thin on the frontline as well but they do have 6-11 center Cole Aldrich, who I believe is a star in the making. He can hit the 12-14 footer or score in the low post, and he's a good free throw shooter. He's also averaging over 3 blocks a game. Other than Aldrich, there's the Morris brothers, Markieff and Marcus, who average 37 minutes and almost 13 boards between them. The Kansas offense runs through Collins and Aldrich, and Aldrich's defensive presence gives Kansas the nod here

Advantage: Kansas

Bench: The benches were highlighted earlier on. Neither team appears to run a very deep bench. Kansas went 7 deep yesterday and Syracuse ran 8 deep, but typically Boeheim teams have a short bench. Syracuse probably has more offensive options off the bench and that's why the Orange get the advantage here

Advantage: Syracuse

Experience: Both teams are young. But at least Kansas has a couple of National Championship winners, whereas most of Syracuse's guys haven't even played in a NCAA tournament game.

Advantage: Kansas

Coaching: Both teams are well coached, obviously. I feel Kansas is the more disciplined of the two, while Syracuse still appears to be playing somewhat selfish basketball and is turning it over more (which could just be a product of a faster pace of play, but whatever)

Advantage: Kansas

FINAL VERDICT:

While I do feel Kansas is the more complete team at this point in the season, I'm picking Syracuse for two reasons. One, I picked them in the beginning of the season to win this tournament and I don't see a major reason to change now. Second, I think this team is more talented overall, particularly offensively, and Kansas hasn't faced this many guys who can beat you off the dribble or shoot yet this season. Syracuse wins 76-71.