Syracuse (8-3) got back to its winning ways with a 67-46 win over Cornell on Saturday to push the Mike Hopkins era to 2-2. Two more noncoference games remain on the slate for the Orange, including a 7 p.m. matchup with Montana State (5-6) on Tuesday in the Carrier Dome.

Here’s what you need to know heading into Syracuse’s game against the Bobcats.

The Montana State Report

Montana State comes into its matchup with Syracuse having lost on Saturday just down I-90 to SUNY Buffalo. The Bobcats’ best win was an 83-82 victory over Wyoming, who it then lost to six days later. They also have two wins over San Jose State and a win over Utah Valley. Syracuse is the only team on Montana State’s schedule currently in KenPom’s top 100. The Bobcats have one of the worst defensive teams in the country, per KenPom, where they are ranked 342nd out of 351 Division I teams. They allow opponents to get up the court quickly and struggle to defend the paint.

Last season Montana State went 7-23, and scored just 28 points in a 58-point drubbing to then-No. 1 Kentucky. This season, the Bobcats are led by Marcus Colbert and Tyler Hall, who average a combined 34.4 points per game.

All-time series

The Orange and the Bobcats have played once before, in the first round of the 1996 NCAA Tournament at a neutral site in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Syracuse won the game, 88-55, on its way to the NCAA championship game against Kentucky. That matchup served as the Bobcats last game in the NCAA Tournament. SU eventually lost to Rick Pitino and the Wildcats in the championship game.

How Montana State beats Syracuse

Montana State hasn’t proven that it can do much well defensively, but it has found some success guarding the perimeter. Opponents shoot just 32.7 percent from deep, which is below the Division I average of 34.2 percent. Inside the arc, opponents shoot 55.1 percent.

The Bobcats grab about 34.2 percent of rebounds on the offensive glass, about four percent above the Division I average, which could provide some problems against Syracuse’s 2-3 zone defense. MSU needs Syracuse to revert back to the team that struggles to rebound and struggles to hit from the outside. Those strengths might play into Syracuse’s weaknesses.

Fun stat

MSU ranks near the bottom of the NCAA in both blocks and steals. The Bobcats have recorded just 20 of the former this season and only 25 Division I teams have fewer — including Texas Southern (18), SU’s next opponent. Only 29 teams have fewer steals than MSU’s 46 this season.

Player to watch

Colbert is Montana State’s best player, and he averages 17.8 points per contest. He’s good at getting to the rim and drawing fouls. His 47 assists lead the team, as do his 35 turnovers. He has the ball in his hands a lot, and can be hot and cold when he does. In MSU’s loss to Nebraska Omaha, Colbert had 35 points.

Published on December 21, 2015 at 1:24 am