FanPost

Why do we own Syracuse?


The secret's out. We own Syracuse. We haven't lost to Syracuse since Austin Montgomery was still in diapers. The last time we lost to Syracuse, Saddamn Hussein was still running Iraq, Howard Stern was still on terrestrial radio, the housing market was bullish, and UK fans thought Calipari was a dirty, cheating, felon. We haven't lost to Syracuse in so long, that I can't remember who was president the last time we lost to them. Pretty sure they had Derrick Coleman and Carmelo Anthony on that team, though. Pitino may have still been an assistant coach, i don't know.

The question is: Why?

People say it is because Pitino knows how to beat the zone. How exactly? I always assumed he penetrated with quick guards and had them outlet to Kyle Kuric (who made roughly 42 3 pointers in last years game). If this is the case, we have something to worry about because this year's team is the worst 3-point shooting team of the Post Brandon Bender (PBB) Era (which, we all know, was the low point in UL basketball history).

A closer look reveals that, as I always suspected, I know nothing about basketball.


3pt season 3pt difference
2011-2012
32.8
2010-2011 48.1 36.2 11.9
2009-2010a 30 33.7 -3.7
2009-2010b 30 33.7 -3.7
2008-2009a 25.8 36.9 -11.1
2008-2009b 35.7 36.9 -1.2
2007-2008 24 35 -11
2006-2007 25 33.3

-8.3

With the exception of last year's game, we've shot worse than our season average from 3 point range against Syracuse.

What is it? What do we do that this zone just can't handle? Can someone who knows more about basketball than me (e.g., Remote Cardinal) explain this to us?