Friday's Shootaround: And Syracuse isn't a final four contender? Please...

Syracuse 85, Florida 73: The Orange looked very, very good in their win last night against Florida in Tampa. Rick Jackson was too much for Florida to handle inside in the first half, and he controlled the paint on the offensive to the tune of 16 points and 7 boards. Syracuse would take a 42-36 lead at the break, and a couple times push that lead up to 10. But each time they did, Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker would be there to spark a run for Florida, who really shot well from three last night (12-30). But each time the Gators got close, Syracuse would pull away. Florida cut a 54-44 lead to 59-57, and the Orange responded with a 12-4 of their home. When the Gators scored six straight to cut a 10 point lead to 73-69, Syracuse sealed the game with another 12-4 push.

Jackson finished with 21 points and 11 boards, 7 offensive. Andy Rautins added 16 points, 5 boards, and 5 assists while Wesley Johnson and Kris Joseph both chipped i with double double while combined for 29 points and 20 rebounds. Boynton played his best game of the season this far, going for 20 points and 7 assists without a turnover. He was 5-14 from deep, which was much more impressive before Florida started jacking at the end. Chandler Parsons added 19, 4 boards, 5 assists while Erving Walker chipped in with 14 points and 6 dimes.

Complete is the best word to describe the Orange. What can't this team do? They have the size inside to dominate smaller teams (ask Florida). They play great defense and are able to create points off of turnovers as well as anyone in the country. They are unselfish. They have shooters. They are athletic. The only issue, as it has been all season, is point guard play. Scoop Jardine and Brandon Triche both played a little sloppy, as they combined for 15 points, 9 assists, and 5 turnovers.

If there is one thing we learned last night about the Orange it is that they can be pressed. Florida has a couple very quick, very good defenders in their back court. They hounded Jardine and Triche for much of the game, and forced 15 turnovers, a number of which were just clean steals as Syracuse brought the ball up.

Florida is going to be good this year, but I think tonight proved how much they rely on their perimeter. Don't get me wrong, Walker and Boynton are as good of a back court duo as you will find, but their lack of strength on the interior is concerning. Vernon Macklin is really the only guy that is big enough to bang down low, and even Macklin was overmatched last night. Alex Tyus, Dan Werner, Parsons - these are all talented kids and will produce for Donovan this year, but all three are going to be pushed around by bigger, stronger post players.

Cincinnati 63, Miami OH 59: You know what you are going to get with this Bearcat team. They are going to play tough, physical defense, and on the offensive end they are going to attack the glass. The biggest reason the Redhawks were able to hang around last night is that they competed very well on the defensive glass, limiting Cincinnati, a team averaging 16 offensive rebounds a game, to just 11. The difference ended up being Lance Stephenson. Stephenson is starting to put it all together. Last night, he had 17 points on 6-11 shooting, 8 boards (3 offensive), 3 assists, 3 steals, and just 2 turnovers. He is so good on the offensive end, and once he puts it all together, the Big East better watch out. Cincinnati is a go-to scorer away from being able to compete for a Big East crown, and Stephenson is just about there.

Other notable games:

• Michigan State 88, Oakland 57: Draymond Green had 19 points and 12 boards, going 8-8 from the floor for 16 points in the first half as the Spartans opened up a 44-21 lead. Green could be a difference maker for the Spartans if he becomes a reliable low post option, in part because he is such a good passer.
• Mississippi State 76, DePaul 45: Not sure if this is a sign of the Bulldogs being that good, or DePaul that bad, but MSU dominated this game from the tip. DePaul could not get into any rhythm offensively in the first half, and Mississippi State hit 10 first half threes (compared to one first half two pointer) as they rolled to a 35-15 lead. Ravern Johnson led five players in double figures with 14 points for the Bulldogs.
  

Thusday's best:

• Travis Franklin had 22 points and 10 boards to lead Colorado State to an upset win over the in-state rival Buffaloes.
• Keith Benson's 21 and 11 was not enough to keep Oakland in the game with Michigan State.
• Rick Jackson scored 21 points and had 11 rebounds as the Orange knocked off Florida. He had 7 boards on the offensive end.