Monster statement win for the guys to dominate a big name ACC program. We played extremely well from start to finish tonight with very few stretches where we were not clicking. Syracuse answered us shot for shot early as they came out on fire shooting the ball. Buddy B. had 8 points in the first few minutes and we did an excellent job of holding him to only 2 points the rest of the first which played a huge role in us building a 10 point lead. On tired legs and the third straight day of play, it would have been easy for our guys to play sloppy in the second half and let Syracuse stay in the game. Instead, we came out and immediately extended the lead and never allowed Syracuse to get it back into single digits. Up 15 in the 2nd half, we looked like the Harlem Globetrotters facing the hapless Washington Generals as we were throwing down alley oops all over the place. Crushing a perennial top tier ACC team by 21 was a phenomenal way to wrap up our trip to the Bahamas.
As good as our starters were today, I think the key to the game on the third day of the tournament was our bench. Most of the way through the first, Syracuse still had all of their starters in while we were running in fresh guys. In the first half, our bench played 5 guys vs only 3 for them and we had a 15-5 scoring and 7-1 rebounding margin. Cardwell had his best game of the year with a 3/3 shooting performance. Jaylin added 7 boards and 9 points. Lior had a huge impact when he knocked down the 2 3s in the first half to put us into a lead we would never surrender. In the 2nd, we extended the lead to 18 with no starters on the floor. For the game, our bench outscored them 32-11 and out-rebounded them 19-6. On the third straight day of play, it was a decisive advantage that our bench was ready to play quality minutes and heavily contribute.
Jabari with another monster game. 22 points is huge, but so were his 4 assists. We consistently beat their zone by throwing the ball to Jabari in the high post where he either made a move to score or found another guy open. He knocked down 4 3s which is fantastic by itself, but other teams being forced to guard a 6-10 guy close all over the floor is making it easier for our other guys to get good looks. He is extremely unselfish and spent most of the game looking to pass instead of immediately find his own shot. Let's enjoy every minute he's wearing the Auburn jersey. We will be watching him in NBA All star games for years to come.
KD with another fantastic game back in double digits scoring and playing defense like a man possessed. Several of his 5 steals were at key moments that turned into momentum for us. His circus shot on a drive towards the end of the first half was epic. His steal on the last play of the first half and and drive was one of the bigger plays of the game as it resulted in 2 for us instead of a potential 2-3 for them if they hit a shot. It appears refs are just going to let people maul KD because he is playing so physically. He should have been on the line here and we were lucky Green had the follow to finish it and send us to the half up 10.
Zep and Green both played really well today. We don't need either of these guys to carry us scoring, but if they are finding other guys open and running the offense, we will crush teams the way we did today. They combined for 12 assists and only 1 turnover today. This was a pretty one.
Overall, a very good trip to the Bahamas. 1 tough loss to a good opponent that earned us a lot of national credit. Turned the trip into a big success with back to back wins over quality opponents. Now, back home to face some manageable opponents before playing Nebraska in Atlanta. UCF beat us at their place last year so we need to come ready for revenge on Wednesday. They are #56 in KenPom so we can't rest on our laurels from this W and expect to cake walk to another W over Gus's Knights. This is setting up as a very strong OOC season for us that should have us ranked in the top 15 heading into SEC play at full strength with Flanny back.
As good as our starters were today, I think the key to the game on the third day of the tournament was our bench. Most of the way through the first, Syracuse still had all of their starters in while we were running in fresh guys. In the first half, our bench played 5 guys vs only 3 for them and we had a 15-5 scoring and 7-1 rebounding margin. Cardwell had his best game of the year with a 3/3 shooting performance. Jaylin added 7 boards and 9 points. Lior had a huge impact when he knocked down the 2 3s in the first half to put us into a lead we would never surrender. In the 2nd, we extended the lead to 18 with no starters on the floor. For the game, our bench outscored them 32-11 and out-rebounded them 19-6. On the third straight day of play, it was a decisive advantage that our bench was ready to play quality minutes and heavily contribute.
Jabari with another monster game. 22 points is huge, but so were his 4 assists. We consistently beat their zone by throwing the ball to Jabari in the high post where he either made a move to score or found another guy open. He knocked down 4 3s which is fantastic by itself, but other teams being forced to guard a 6-10 guy close all over the floor is making it easier for our other guys to get good looks. He is extremely unselfish and spent most of the game looking to pass instead of immediately find his own shot. Let's enjoy every minute he's wearing the Auburn jersey. We will be watching him in NBA All star games for years to come.
KD with another fantastic game back in double digits scoring and playing defense like a man possessed. Several of his 5 steals were at key moments that turned into momentum for us. His circus shot on a drive towards the end of the first half was epic. His steal on the last play of the first half and and drive was one of the bigger plays of the game as it resulted in 2 for us instead of a potential 2-3 for them if they hit a shot. It appears refs are just going to let people maul KD because he is playing so physically. He should have been on the line here and we were lucky Green had the follow to finish it and send us to the half up 10.
Zep and Green both played really well today. We don't need either of these guys to carry us scoring, but if they are finding other guys open and running the offense, we will crush teams the way we did today. They combined for 12 assists and only 1 turnover today. This was a pretty one.
Overall, a very good trip to the Bahamas. 1 tough loss to a good opponent that earned us a lot of national credit. Turned the trip into a big success with back to back wins over quality opponents. Now, back home to face some manageable opponents before playing Nebraska in Atlanta. UCF beat us at their place last year so we need to come ready for revenge on Wednesday. They are #56 in KenPom so we can't rest on our laurels from this W and expect to cake walk to another W over Gus's Knights. This is setting up as a very strong OOC season for us that should have us ranked in the top 15 heading into SEC play at full strength with Flanny back.
Last edited:
