With a month of intense basketball action behind them, Syracuse finds itself at a crossroads. Standing at 4-3, they have faced challenges both on the road and at home. Let's delve into the various aspects of their game and see what lies ahead.

Unraveling Syracuse's Basketball Struggles and Promises

Road Woes and Home Triumphs

In the first month of basketball, Syracuse has a record of 4-3. A notable aspect is their inability to win away from the JMA Wireless Dome, losing every game on the road. However, they managed to squeak through their home games. This dichotomy raises questions about their ability to perform in different environments.The Orange entered Tuesday's game against Tennessee as significant underdogs, a position they have rarely held since Covers.com started tracking in 2006. Despite the odds, they still couldn't cover the spread, falling 96-70 as 22-point dogs. This loss further emphasizes the challenges they face in competing at a higher level.

Defensive Challenges and Areas for Improvement

While Lampkin brings versatility to Syracuse's offense, he gives much of it back on the defensive end. He is not a dominant rim protector and lacks the athleticism to switch or hedge properly. The team's hedging attempts have not been successful, as they are currently ranked 359th in Division I in ball screen defense, allowing 1.073 points per possession.For example, against Texas Tech, Lampkin hedged but failed to disrupt Hawkins' motion, and Carlos was nowhere near the ball. This led to an easy paint touch for JT Toppin, who averages 12.9 points in the paint per game. It's not just Lampkin's fault; the team seems to have trouble properly tagging rollers. When hedging a ball screen, the ball handler should not be allowed to get too far away, as there is no protection against an easy paint touch. Carlos and Lampkin are not on the same page, which leads to drives, kicks, and easy layups. Additionally, the Orange show a lot of ball-watching on the play, with some players getting caught up and reacting late.

Offense and Ball Movement

In the first half against Tennessee, I watched every possession and charted where Jaquan Carlos picked up his dribble when initiating half-court offense. Zakai Zeigler, one of the best on-ball defenders in the country, forces Carlos to pick up the ball just feet past the timeline. Donnie Freeman catches the ball about 6 feet from the three-point arc, and instead of a tighter handoff and a driving lane, Lucas Taylor has to pick up the ball further back. This lack of space on the wing makes it difficult for Carlos and Taylor to work together, and Zeigler is able to deny the ball and start the break.Although Syracuse has shown more creativity in sets and actions this season, most lack depth. When they get knocked out of structure, the off-ball movement typically stops or happens too slowly. This affects their offensive efficiency and limits their scoring opportunities.

Searching for Two-Way Players

Who is Syracuse's best defensive player? It's a difficult question to answer. According to EvanMiya.com's Bayesian Performance Rating, Petar Majstorovic has been the team's best defender this season, but he is also the worst offensive player by the same metric. He has some defensive upside, but he fouls too much and doesn't contribute enough offensively to stay on the floor.Second in the metric is Lampkin. According to Hoop-Explorer, Syracuse is a bit better defensively with him on the floor, but teams can exploit his lack of verticality in the paint and his inconsistent positioning. Despite being ranked second on the team, Lampkin is only 69th in the ACC in DBPR out of 160. Syracuse's lineup malleability has not worked as planned this year, and with the guard rotation shortened due to Starling's absence, it may not get much better.

The Zone Defense Dilemma

There have been countless suggestions about Syracuse switching back to the Boeheim-era 2-3 zone. While it would change the defense, it may not necessarily make it better. In high-major basketball, teams know how to beat zone defenses. Against Tennessee, Syracuse went to zone on seven possessions and the Vols scored 14 points. They also went to zone against Texas at the beginning of the game and immediately fell behind.A zone defense should be used strategically to throw teams out of rhythm or in specific gameplans, not as a default option. Every team should have a zone in their arsenal, but it's not a "break glass in case of emergency" measure.

Some Bright Spots

Elijah Moore is fearless and a terrific shotmaker. He can create advantages off the dribble and plays with a confidence that sometimes sets him apart from his teammates. Although he has only attempted one shot at the rim in the half-court all season, his shooting ability gives Syracuse a different dimension.Jyare Davis is having no trouble getting to the rim. He is Syracuse's top offensive player by OBPR, crashing the glass, getting to the line, and finishing through contact. His aggressive play has been a positive for the team.