2010 Syracuse Orange Basketball: Syracuse vs West Virginia

Two Bigs in the Big East get ready for one of the largest match-ups we will see thus far in college hoops. #5 Syracuse and #9 West Virginia are both looking to extend their winning record in conference play, as well as, extend their NCAA tournament resume.

Syracuse, coming off a victory at Rutgers, has won all three of their games against ranked opponents: North Carolina, California, and Florida. Can they make it number four?

The Orange have become one of the most talked about teams in basketball, with their points coming mostly from great defense and sharing the basketball. They are not a typical Orange team having multiple players who score in double digits on a game to game basis.

Though a lapse, the Orange are starting to show promise of coming back to that type of stellar play seen at the beginning of the season. Jim Boeheim, head coach of Syracuse, said, “we haven't played well in three or four games,” and that they are lucky for getting out with the W. You can tell that Boeheim is worried about Saturday's match-up. From the loss at Pittsburgh to the win at Rutgers, Boeheim has been harping on poor decisions with the basketball more and more.

He has every right to be worried. Bob Huggin's Mountaineers are a tall team. Their five starters range from 6'7” to 6'9”. This is something that could be either good or bad for Syracuse. Without a true point guard West Virginia's senior, De'sean Butler, will be susceptible to the quick hands of Andy Routins, Scoop Jardine, and Brandon Triche – which could turn out well for the Orange. However, the height could prove a problem for rebounding and breaking Syracuse's classic two-three zone.

It could go either way. It all depends on who steps up. Syracuse has the fire power to beat anyone in the Nation, but they have to go to Morgantown ready to play to beat Bob Huggin's Mountaineers.

Big East Battle: #5 Syracuse vs #9 West Virginia Preview