Syracuse Tries to Stop Free Fall at Home; Kansas State Tries to Salvage Season at Home

The problem for Syracuse, and this is true whether you look at the numbers or just watch them play, is that Scoop Jardine takes too many shots for his caliber of play. He leads the team in shot attempts, but is under 50% from 2-point range and is a mediocre 33% from 3. This team needs to utilize a higher percentage of offensive possessions with players who are more efficient–particularly Rick Jackson and Kris Joseph.

Neither team shoots the ball well from outside overall, so this is likely to be a battle of defensive wills and who can generate easy scoring opportunities to aid their offense.

In the other contest, Kansas State is in desperate need a landmark victory when Kansas comes visiting. At best, the Wildcats are right on the edge of getting in the NCAA tournament right now. They are 4-6 in conference, and though a sub-.500 record is not an automatic disqualifier, doing so while losing to both Kansas and Texas in the last six games would not impress the committee.

They lost the game at Colorado on Saturday when Rodney McGruder’s three pointer was released just after the buzzer, nullifying the potential game winner. Kansas has historically played well in Manhattan. They will do so tonight without Thomas Robinson, and probably still without Josh Selby. These offenses are slightly different in their offense efficiency. The Jayhawks have been clicking lately, while the Wildcats really struggle to maintain consistency, and rely heavily on offensive rebound opportunities to make up for mediocre shooting. If the Jayhawks can limit the Wildcats on the boards, they should maintain their #1 ranking.

[photo via Getty]