Led by balanced scoring and tough defense, the No. 1 team in the country, Syracuse University, leads Tulane University, 41-19, at halftime of a non-conference men's basketball game at the Carrier Dome. Junior guard Brandon Triche has netted a team-best nine points for the Orange (12-0), who are trying to finish their regular-season, non-conference schedule unbeaten for the second straight year. Junior forward James Southerland has added eight points, all coming during a 19-0 run that helped SU take a commanding lead into the locker room.
Freshman guard Ricky Tarrant has tallied a team-best five points for Tulane (11-1), which used an unusual gameplan early on.
Usually the scouting report on Syracuse is to slow down the game and not let the Orange get into transition, but Tulane did just the opposite. Early on, the Green Wave moved the ball up-and-down the floor and the plan led to a few hurried shots by the Orange, who committed two early turnovers that led to a 12-11 deficit with 11:36 to go in the half.
However, Syracuse reclaimed the lead, 14-12, when freshman point guard Michael Carter-Williams dashed through the lane and made a layup, then made one of two free throws with 10:47 to play. From there, SU used a small 6-0 run to gain a slight cushion, then used a late 19-0 run to blow the game open.
Statistically, the SU defense has held the Green Wave to just 6-for-25 (24-percent) from the floor.
SB Nation New York is blogging from press row at the Carrier Dome Thursday night, as the Syracuse Orange host the Tulane Green Wave. Be sure to check back for a game recap and postgame notes with Jim Boeheim quotes. Visit SB Nation's Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician for more on Syracuse. Follow along on Twitter at SBNationNY or JaredSmithCNY.