Syracuse 92, Manhattan 56

[recap] [box score]

Something sort of unique about the college basketball non-conference schedule is that it has its share of mismatches. Monday night in the Carrier Dome was one such game.

When faced with the daunting task of playing a heavily favored team, the coach of the underdog has a choice of which strategy to employ. He can craft a game plan carefully calculated to give his team the best possible chance it has to slay Goliath. Or he can treat the game like a practice or preseason scrimmage, having his charges play the same way they would against a lesser opponent.

Manhattan coach Steve Masiello chose the second option. His team pushed the tempo on offense and pressed on defense. They also got run out of the gym by the much more talented Orange.