McDaniels posts double-double, alters Syracuse’s shots around rim
Sam Maller | Photo Editor
K.J. McDaniels blocks Tyler Ennis' shot in the first half. Syracuse defeated Clemson 57-44 Sunday night at the Carrier Dome.
Syracuse knew what it was getting in K.J. McDaniels before he arrived at the Carrier Dome, but once he got on the court he gave a reminder of the fearsome presence he can be.
He leads the Atlantic Coast Conference in blocks per game with 2.6 and is perhaps the best shot blocker among players that aren’t big men in the entire country.
One of the first times that Tyler Ennis tried to drive to the lane, McDaniels was caught a bit behind the play, but that didn’t matter. He caught up and swatted Ennis’ layup attempt off the backboard.
“I just had to adjust to the way he plays defense and the way he crashes the boards and goes to the basket,” the SU guard said. “He’s a really good athlete — one of the best in the conference and definitely the country, as well.”
The Clemson forward blocked two shots during his Tigers’ 57-44 loss to the No. 1 Orange on Sunday in the Carrier Dome, but he was a presence on both ends of the floor with 19 points and 10 rebounds to go along with his blocks.
Clemson only finished with four blocked shots, but the Tigers provided Syracuse with a physical challenge every time the Orange tried to get to the rim.
SU forward C.J. Fair made a perfect pass to Michael Gbinije as he cut backdoor for a would-be easy dunk during the first half, but Clemson forward Landry Nnoko slid over in time to stuff Gbinije at the rim.
Against a team that slows it down, every possession becomes critical, and blocked shots constitute wasted possessions.
“You have to be patient. You have to be sure you get a good shot,” Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim said. “We aren’t going to try to do anything too fast.”
McDaniels, however, was at the forefront of the Tigers’ defensive efforts. After McDaniels blocked Ennis, the guard didn’t score again until the final seven minutes of the game.
The Orange dominated in the paint, outscoring Clemson 32-14, but several came on putback dunks and layups and a handful more came from Fair, who was about the only player that McDaniels couldn’t fluster.
McDaniels was still able to rattle off a strong performance, but he wasn’t as dominant as he could have been.
Said Fair: “I just wanted to keep him moving because he’s an active player on the offensive end.”
Published on February 9, 2014 at 11:46 pm
Contact David: dbwilson@syr.edu | @DBWilson2
