Pitarresi: SU scores a significant win

Syracuse University’s 72-65 basketball win over Memphis tonight didn’t shock me, but it did surprise me a little.

 

This is SU’s most significant victory of the season, certainly bigger than those over Florida, Kansas or Virginia.

 

On the road against a good team with no Eric Devendorf? And after they had some less than stellar outings even in going 10-1 before tonight? With Jonny Flynn less than 100 percent? This is a signature win. That doesn’t guarantee anything, but it shows growth and maturity, qualities the Orange will need in Big East battles.

 

SU did it while being outrebounded by nine and making just 12 of 26 free throws, which is the one caveat here. The Orange have to improve in those areas, but still, this can be a big building block.