Senior Night Spoiled By Georgia Tech

Syracuse loses last home game 

This was a night where Syracuse Senior’s Baye Moussa Keita, C.J. Fair, Russ DeRemer, and Nolan Hart were supposed to celebrate and enjoy their last night stepping on the Carrier Dome hardwood as players. 

No. 7 Syracuse (26-3, 13-3) hosted Georgia Tech (13-16, 4-12). Georgia Tech is a team that has struggled mightily in ACC play, and was also riding a four game losing streak. 

But, tonight was a different story. The orange lost to the Yellow Jackets 67-62. The loss puts Syracuse in a tie with North Carolina for second place in the ACC. 

This is also the first time the Orange has lost back-to-back home games to unranked opponents in 12 years. 

Injuries hurting down the stretch 

Jim Boeheim usually sticks to a seven man rotation towards the end of the season. He planned on doing that this year. But, injuries got in his way. 

Jerami Grant, one of Syracuse's top scorers, was out of the lineup with a sore back against Georgia Tech. 

"Obviously, injuries are a part of basketball, but we are a team that needs all of our parts," Boeheim said. "I think we're a very good basketball team. Without all of our parts, I don't think we are. I think that was pretty evident tonight."

The Orange had to rely on freshman Tyler Roberson who got his first career start in place of Grant. He added two points and three rebounds in 23 minutes of play.

"He's not ready to play," said Boeheim. "The reason he didn't play is because he's not ready. He doesn't know the defense. He doesn't know the offense. He cannot help us right now." 

Cooney not hitting

Meanwhile Trevor Cooney couldn't buy a bucket from downtown. He went 1-for-8 from the three point mark against Georgia Tech. He made the lone three pointer with less then two minutes to go in the game.

"I think since Notre Dame he has had trouble getting it going," Boeheim said.

In his last five games he has shot 7-for-37 from beyond the arc. That equates to a dismal 18.9 percent from three. 

"I think for six or seven games, our offense has not been good enough," said Boeheim. "We have not shot the ball well. We're getting in a hole."

Syracuse scored 23 points points in the first half. It was the lowest total in a first half this season. 

Georgia Tech "de"zoned the 2-3 zone

Georgia Tech was relentless from the start. The Yellow Jackets kept a balanced attack on offense and broke down the patented 2-3 zone. Tech shot 47 percent from the field, compared to Syracuse's 39 percent.. 

Tech spread the ball and had 18 assists on the night. Syracuse only had ten. 

"We let Georgia Tech get too comfortable," senior forward C.J. Fair said. "Once they got comfortable in the first half they were making shots and making plays."

The Yellow Jackets had three scorers in double digits. Two of them were big men. Daniel Miller, Georgia Tech's center, finished with 15 points and went 7-for-10 from the field. Most of his baskets were easy layups and dunks. Not to mention he added six blocks. Miller came into this game ranked second in blocks in the ACC with 2.3 per game. 

Robert Carter Jr. added 12 points mostly on easy baskets down low. 

Georgia Tech's senior guard, Trae Golden, a transfer from Tennessee, had an efficient scoring night as well. He went 8-for-8 from the line and made six key free throws down the stretch.

It ain't half bad

CJ Fair was one of the few who picked Georgia Tech's defense apart. He tied his career high with 28 points. The last time he scored 28 as against Duke on Feb. 1. Fair is now 16th on the all-time scoring list at Syracuse University. 

Fair went 12-for-25 from the field. He also made a couple of three pointers, going 2-for-5 from the beyond the arc.  

The freshman guard, Tyler Ennis, was the other bright spot. He added 18 points and 7 assists. He uncharacteristically took 17 shots from the field. 

"I have told him we need you to take 15 to 18 shots now," Boeheim said. 

With Grant out, the offense needs Ennis to step up.

Looking ahead

Syracuse plays at Florida State on Sunday, March 9 at 2 p.m. to close out the regular season.

Jim Boeheim news conference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOlksttgDRg&feature=youtu.be

C.J. Fair postgame: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MxqPugFKRE

Trevor Cooney postgame: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGKPs-8ngvM

Tyler Ennis postgame: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgnnI9ZoE9k