Ahead of Tuesday night’s Syracuse-Wake Forest matchup, both head coaches joined the ACC Coaches Teleconference on Monday afternoon and discussed a variety of topics. SU head coach Jim Boeheim continued to answer questions about his team’s struggles on the road, and WFU head coach Danny Manning touched on why he enjoys playing in the Carrier Dome.

Here are three highlights from the teleconference.

Boeheim doesn’t have an answer for SU’s road woes

In a frustrating season for the Orange, a winless road record is currently the paramount issue after Syracuse lost handily to both North Carolina and Notre Dame in their home arenas. Boeheim tried to conjure an explanation for it, but he echoed the same sentiment he had after losing by 18 to the Fighting Irish: He doesn’t really know.

“I have no idea,” Boeheim said. “If I had an idea, I would try to do something about it. We practice the same way, we prepare the same way and we’ve played better at home than we have on the road. That’s all I can tell you.”

Three times SU’s lost by 17 or more points away from the Carrier Dome, and the Orange’s average margin of defeat on the road is 13. Boston College is the only opponent this season Syracuse has played both at home on the road.

Boeheim pointed to the disparity in performance — a 15-point loss on the road compared to a 23-point win at home — as a gap that’s simply too sizable.

“If you win a close game at home against a team and go on the road and lose a close game, that’s to be expected,” Boeheim said. “…But if you win by a lot at home and you go on the road and lose by a lot, that’s not expected.

“We just haven’t played well on the road, and it’s really been both ends: Defense and offense.”

Manning and the Demon Deacons like playing on the road

Much like Syracuse, Wake Forest is very much looking forward to playing on the Carrier Dome court come Tuesday at 8 p.m. The Demon Deacons are a respectable 4-4 on the road, most recently winning at NC State on Saturday by five.

Manning is looking forward to a raucous Carrier Dome crowd, which has seen SU win 11 of 13 games in the friendly confines.

“I like environments like that,” Manning said. “I like it loud. I think it enhances what you’re into it for … I think it’s fun to play on the road and play in situations like that.”

It’s fair to say SU probably doesn’t view playing on the road the same way.

Dishing out the scouting report

After finishing last season with only two conference wins, Wake Forest has already exceeded that total in seven games this season. The Demon Deacons appear to be a significantly better team, one near the top of the ACC leaderboards in 3-point shooting.

“I think they’re a much improved,” Boeheim said. “…They’re a very talented team and have answers at every position.”

When asked about his game plan to beat Syracuse, Manning said he doesn’t want his team settling for long jump shots against SU’s 2-3 zone. Expect WFU to try and funnel the ball into the paint, either to kick it out to shooters or elevate toward the basket.

Defensively, Manning is honing in on Andrew White, Tyler Lydon and Tyus Battle. They’ve been the Orange’s most reliable options throughout the season, drawing Boeheim to say “We can’t win with three guys” after losing to UND on Saturday.

“We have to make sure we know where those three are at all times,” Manning said.

 

Published on January 23, 2017 at 2:52 pm

Contact Connor: cgrossma@syr.edu | @connorgrossman