No. 14 Syracuse (6-1) saw its undefeated season come to a close, losing to Wisconsin (5-3), 66-58, in overtime, in the Big Ten-ACC Challenge on Wednesday night in the Carrier Dome. Here are three quick observations from the SU loss.

Getting Board

Syracuse was severely outrebounded on the glass on Wednesday, 51-25. In the first half alone, SU had fewer defensive rebounds (8) than Wisconsin did offensive rebounds (9). Head coach Jim Boeheim said it would be a problem the Orange would have to make up for all season when the team found ways to overcome its rebounding woes in the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament.

The first bucket of the second frame was from Ethan Happ, when he raised up over two defenders to get a put back. Two minutes later, he retained possession the same way by getting a board over Tyler Lydon and Tyler Roberson.

Malachi Ricahrdson led Syracuse in rebounds with seven, and he had three more than any other Orange player.

His Shot

After being taken almost completely out of the rotation against Connecticut and Texas A&M, Kaleb Joseph was given a chance to contribute on Wednesday. He played eight minutes in the first half and scored six points. His first shot was a long two that he made while being fouled in the act of shooting. His last basket was a step-back jumper.

He reappeared in the second half to spell Roberson, who had four fouls. He assisted on one Trevor Cooney 3 in the second half that put the Orange on top. When he came out of the game with just over nine minutes to play, he did so to a round of applause.

After combining for eight minutes in the last two games, he played 14 on Wednesday and recorded two assists, a steal and no turnovers to go with his scoring.

Long Distance Relationship

Syracuse started off its night by shooting just 2-of-12 from behind the arc well into the second half. It’s defense was keeping it in the game when the rebounding and shooting was not.

But when Joseph fed Michael Gbinije a 3 at the right wing and then hit Cooney 31 seconds later, it capped off a two-minute stretch that saw the Orange hit three 3s and turn a one-point deficit into a 41-35 lead.

With Syracuse up two, Gbinije took a step back on the dribble and his shot splashed through the net again. The Orange had lost its season-long touch in the first half, saw it revitalized in the second half, only to have it disappear again in overtime.

Published on December 2, 2015 at 9:30 pm