Boeheim’s first absence leaves Syracuse with a loss
Georgetown holds on for 79-72 victory in game between old rivals
For the fourth time since 1976, Jim Boeheim did not coach in a Syracuse basketball game.
It was the first game of Boeheim’s nine game suspension, and until his suspension is over, Boeheim can have no communication with his players or staff.
During the game, Syracuse left a chair open to remember Boeheim. It looked like it missed its leader on Saturday as it lost to old rival Georgetown 79-72.
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In his first game as head coach, Mike Hopkins was very intense on the sideline. When Georgetown jumped out to a 26-12 lead, Hopkins was not happy.
For the second straight game, Syracuse struggled from the three-point line.
After the Orange shot just 7 for 24 from three against Wisconsin on Wednesday night, it shot just 7 for 27 from three against Georgetown.
It’s cold shooting allowed Georgetown to jump out to a 36 to 24 halftime lead and a 58-39 lead with 10:47 remaining in the second half. While Syracuse fought back to cut Georgetown’s lead to 74-68 during the final minute of the game, the game never got any closer.
Michael Gbinije led the Orange during its second half comeback. He finished with a game high 23 points.
This is also the second game in a row Syracuse struggled with its interior defense. On Wednesday, Wisconsin center Ethan Happ had a career high in both points (18) and rebounds (15) against the Orange.
On Saturday Georgetown center Bradley Hays had a career high 21 points, and Georgetown forwards Isaac Copeland and Marcus Derrickson combined for another 27 points.
This was the first time Syracuse played Georgetown since it left the Big East conference after the conclusion of the 2012-2013 season. The rivalry between the two schools escalated in 1980, when Georgetown beat Syracuse in its last game at Manley Field House and Georgetown Head Coach John Thompson said, “Manley Field House is Officially Closed.”
The two school have remained big rivals since the game and Syracuse now leads the all-time series against Georgetown 49-42. The two schools will also face each other in each of the next three seasons.