Examining Syracuse’s rebounding and second-chance scoring numbers against Power Five Opponents

Since Syracuse’s opening game in Las Vegas at the Players Era Tournament, it has gone 1-3 in four games. In all four contests SU faced power five opponents, and it suffered its only three losses this season. 

Most recently, Syracuse came away with a win over No. 13 Tennessee but it nearly lost for a fourth straight time due to a poor performance in several categories. The Orange struggled significantly in rebounding and second-chance scoring. 

During the four-game stretch, the Orange have been outrebounded by an average of eight rebounds per game and outscored by an average of six points per game on second-chance opportunities.

These stats often dictate the outcomes of games and SU head coach Adrian Autry voiced this sentiment after being out-rebounded 49-29 by Kansas in a double-digit loss.

“Today we didn’t do a good job on the glass,” Autry said. “That’s the things we know we have to continue to work on to get better at. That impacted the game.” 

Syracuse’s run of three straight losses started with a near-upset of then-No. 3 Houston. Many analysts pointed to the Orange’s struggles at the free throw line, where they shot 12-of-29 and only lost by four points in overtime.

However, the outcome didn’t just come down to free throw shooting. SU trailed Houston 49-43 on the glass and gave up nine more second-chance points. The Cougars had four players with at least six rebounds while Syracuse had only two. 

Syracuse closed the gap on second chance scoring but still gave up more points in that category to Kansas and Iowa State, who it played in its second and third game of the tournament, respectively. 

In their last game against Tennessee, Syracuse was outrebounded by five and gave up nine more second-chance points. Yet SU won due to a number of other factors. 

The Orange limited the Volunteer’s leading scorer Ja’Kobi Gillespie to a near-season-low 10 points and zero 3s. SU senior JJ Starling became a key scorer in the second half and Nate Kingz bolstered the Orange in the opening half, finishing with a team-high 19 points.

Syracuse’s rebounding numbers were slightly improved than some of its previous games and Autry said freshman Sadiq White Jr. made a difference, after SU defeated Tennessee.

“We had been talking about rebounding, he came out [and produced] nine rebounds today,” Autry said. “I thought he was phenomenal.”

Through the efforts of White and transfer William Kyle on the glass, it allowed SU to push the ball up the court and put the Volunteers on their heels. Syracuse outscored Tennessee 9-0 in fast break points. 

Then late in the game, SU cut down on allowing Tennessee second-chance points, Autry said.

“We got possessions, we got rebounds when they did miss,” Autry said. “We didn’t give them a lot of second opportunities.”

With a 5-3 record, the Orange enter the back half of its nonconference schedule with five games to improve before conference play. The Orange showed signs of improvement against the Volunteers, after some games in Las Vegas didn’t go their way, Autry said.

“I’m just really proud of this group of guys, this coaching staff,” Autry said. “We finally got a result.”