Syracuse Basketball: Ten Things We Learned From This Weekend's Loss at Marquette

The struggles continued over the weekend for Syracuse, who lost 76-70 at Marquette on Saturday. They have now lost four straight games and are threatening bubble status for the NCAA tournament after an 18-0 start. Here are the 10 things we learned from the Orange's latest loss.

All Good Things Come to an End

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KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 23: Head coach Buzz Williams of the Marquette Golden Eagles reacts to a call during the CBE Classic consolation game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs on November 23, 2010 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ja

Syracuse lost to Marquette for the first time since the Golden Eagles joined the Big East back in 2005. Before the weekend, the Orange were 5-0 against Marquette in conference play and 7-2 all-time against the Eagles.

Let's Go Streaking

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 17: C.J. Fair #5 of the Syracuse Orange looks on in the last seconds of the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Petersen Events Center on January 17, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Panthers defeated the Orange 74-66.

After starting the season 18-0, the Orange losing streak is now up to four. It’s the first four-game skid for Syracuse since January of 2006.

Free Falling

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 17: Brad Wanamaker #22 of the Pittsburgh Panthers slam dunks against the Syracuse Orange at Petersen Events Center on January 17, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

In less than two weeks, Syracuse went from being tied for first place in the Big East standings (5-0) to a four-way tie for fifth place (5-4).

A Good Scoop

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SALT LAKE CITY - MARCH 25: Scoop Jardine #11 of the Syracuse Orange in action against the Butler Bulldogs during the west regional semifinal of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Energy Solutions Arena on March 25, 2010 in Salt Lake City, U

After struggling in the Orange’s first three losses, point guard Scoop Jardine bounced back against Marquette with his first double-double of the season. Jardine scored 13 points and had a season-high 13 assists.

Another Slow Start

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NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 07: Brandon Triche #30 of Syracuse Orange waits to inbound the ball against the Michigan State Spartans during their game at the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden on December 7, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/

For the fourth straight game, Syracuse fell behind by double-digits in the first half. Marquette led by as many as 11 points in the first half—the lowest first half deficit for Orange during their current skid. Pitt (19), Villanova (14) and Seton Hall (15) have all jumped out to early leads against Syracuse.  

Crowder Killer

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KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 23: Robert Sacre #00 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs grabs a rebound over Jae Crowder #32 of the Marquette Golden Eagles during the CBE Classic consolation game on November 23, 2010 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri. (Phot

Marquette forward Jae Crowder scored 13 of his 25 points against the Orange in the second half. On the season, Crowder is averaging 13.5 point and 6.9 boards.

They're Heating Up

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NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 07: Kris Joseph #32 of Syracuse Orange lays the ball up against the Michigan State Spartans during their game at the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden on December 7, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Syracuse finally snapped out of its recent offensive struggles. They shot 57.1 percent from the field and 46.2 percent for three against Marquette. In the previous three games before Saturday, the Orange’s field goal percentage was 39.5 percent and 34.1 percent from three.

Play Some 'D' Will Ya?

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 17: Brad Wanamaker #22 of the Pittsburgh Panthers battles to the basket against C.J. Fair #5 and Rick Jackson #0 of the Syracuse Orange at Petersen Events Center on January 17, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Panthers defe

The famous 2-3 Syracuse zone is becoming infamous during this four-game skid. Opponents are shooting 51.1 percent from the field and 47.7 percent from behind the arc. The Orange’s opponent scoring average has also increased by four points a game during the stretch.

Give Him a Rest

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 17: Rick Jackson #0 of the Syracuse Orange attempts a lay up aainst the Pittsburgh Panthers at Petersen Events Center on January 17, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Senior Rick Jackson had just four rebounds against Marquette, possibly suggesting some fatigue. Jackson is averaging 13.2 points per game and 11.5 rebounds. He leads the team in minutes played (764) and has played in all 22 games this season.

Bombs Away

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SALT LAKE CITY - MARCH 25: Scoop Jardine #11 of the Syracuse Orange puts up a shot against the Butler Bulldogs during the west regional semifinal of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Energy Solutions Arena on March 25, 2010 in Salt Lake Ci

Syracuse has been settling for the long ball lately. They have shot more than 20 3’s in eight games this season—three of them have come during the losing streak. The Orange are 29-80 from three-point range for an average of 36.2 percent.