Syracuse enters finale on 3-game skid

SYRACUSE, N.Y. » As Syracuse teeters on the brink of missing the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year, the Orange’s biggest problem might just be the confidence of their role players.

The big three — guards Tyus Battle and Frank Howard and freshman forward Oshae Brissett — have carried the team offensively, accounting for nearly three-fourths of the points the Orange have scored. That hasn’t worked so well all too often, and as the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament looms Syracuse (1812, 7-10 ACC) is stumbling.

The Orange are riding a threegame losing streak heading into Saturday’s season finale at home against No. 18 Clemson (22-7, 116).

“We don’t have other guys that are capable of scoring,” coach Jim Boeheim said after Wednesday night’s 85-70 loss at Boston College. “That’s really what it is, ba-

sically.”

It hasn’t been like that in every game.

Of the Orange’s victories this season, ones that stand out were against Maryland, Buffalo, Virginia Tech, Boston College, and Louisville. Except for the important road win over the Cardinals, Syracuse had at least four players in double figures in each of those victories, and starters Marek Dolezaj and Paschal Chukwu combined for 13 points against Louisville.

In losses to St. Bonaventure, Kansas, Notre Dame, Virginia, Georgia Tech, North Carolina State, and North Carolina, only the big three were in double figures, and against Duke only Battle and Howard scored more than 10.

The apparent lack of confidence is confounding at this stage of the season, especially considering that Dolezaj is shooting 51.5 percent for the season and has displayed a sweet touch on short jumpers.

“We trust our guys,” Brissett said. “Whenever they have the ball you want them to do something. It’s not like we’re trying to hog the ball. They’ve got to find the confidence in themselves.”

During the current skid