Before Syracuse (9-3) starts Atlantic Coast Conference play at Pittsburgh on Wednesday, the Orange hosts a lowly Texas Southern team at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

The Tigers’ (1-9) last and only win came against Texas San Antonio on Nov. 25, and they have lost to three power-conference opponents (Clemson, Mississippi State and Washington State) before visiting SU in the Carrier Dome. Here is what else you need to know about Texas Southern ahead of the second-ever matchup between these two teams.

Texas Southern report 

Even though the Tigers generally play a four-around-one offense — starting 6-foot-7 forward Derrick Griffin and four players shorter than 6 feet 5 inches — they aren’t a 3-point-hoisting team. Texas Southern shoots just 32.5 percent from 3 and 27.9 of its total points come from beyond the arc, which ranks 192nd in the country according to Kenpom. It’s an interesting make up for an underachieving, undersized, small-conference team, but the Tigers’ dribble-drive offense is led by Malcolm Riley (18.2 points per game), Chris Thomas (14.3) and Griffin (16.5 and 10.5 rebounds).

In Texas Southern’s only win, it put up 91 points and went to the free-throw line 50 times, making just 26 but establishing a strong presence inside nonetheless. Otherwise, the Tigers have struggled mightily to contain opposing offenses, ranking 300th out of 352 Division I teams in Kenpom’s defensive efficiency rating. Texas Southern played just seven players in its last loss to Iona on Dec. 16, with 6-foot-5 forward Orlando Coleman playing 28 minutes off the bench and 6-foot-7 forward Jose Rodriguez playing 18.

How Texas Southern beats Syracuse

There is a very slim chance that happens. That said, Cornell showed the best way for a team with very limited size and talent to try and slow down the Orange. The Big Red aggressively doubled SU point guard Michael Gbinije off every ball screen and forced Syracuse’s other perimeter threats to create offensively. Evidenced by a 67-46 Orange win, the other perimeter players were able to do so. But if Texas Southern has any shot at hanging with Syracuse, it’s by taking the game out of Gbinije’s hands and then attacking the zone head on at the other end.

Unless the Tigers catch fire from deep, which doesn’t seem likely, its best shot at beating the zone is through the high post and quick passing on the perimeter. If Texas Southern can move the zone with its ball movement, driving lanes will open and its guards can test the Orange’s thin frontcourt at the rim.

Statistic to know

The Tigers simply don’t commit shooting fouls. On the season, Texas Southern has a defensive free-throw rate of 24.8, which is the ninth lowest in the country according to Kenpom. Syracuse’s defensive free-throw rate, which measures how often a team’s opponents get to the foul line against it, is also considerably low at 26.1. Don’t expect a lot of foul shots in this game, which probably doesn’t bode well for the Tigers.

Player to watch

Griffin, the Tigers’ best big man, is a former five-star wide receiver recruit and also plays football for Texas Southern. He’s only played in the basketball team’s last four games, but is averaging a double-double and using his athleticism to keep his team afloat on the glass. Griffin collected a double-double in his first three games before going for just seven points and five rebounds in the Tigers’ loss to Iona. Regardless, he’s the Texas Southern player most fit to give Syracuse trouble on the boards and could have a major effect on the game if he does so.

Published on December 26, 2015 at 4:44 am