Babcock Hoops' scouting team covers extensive ground, with scouts strategically positioned across various regions to evaluate NBA prospects nationwide and beyond. Our talent evaluators attend specific matchups in person, developing these reports to establish an initial baseline on players or provide an updated assessment of their development. Unlike comprehensive scouting profiles, these evaluations focus exclusively on a player’s performance in a single game, emphasizing key takeaways and data points gathered from live scouting observations.
Final Score:
Syracuse 84 – Miami 91
Location:
Coral Gables, FL
Game Summary
Miami secured an important victory behind standout performances from Matthew Cleveland and Jalil Bethea, who had their best games of the season. Their efficiency and overall impact solidified why they have been mentioned as potential draft picks. Despite coming up short, Syracuse saw strong individual efforts from Eddie Lampkin Jr., JJ Starling, and Chris Bell. The key factor in Miami’s win was their three-point shooting, hitting 50% from deep compared to Syracuse’s 38%.
Key Prospects
Matthew Cleveland
Miami | Guard/Forward | Height: 6-7 | Weight: 210 | Class: Senior
Game Stats:
MIN: 37 | PTS: 32 | FG: 10-13 | 3PT: 2-4 | FT: 10-12 | REB: 3 | AST: 5 | STL: 3 | BLK: 2 | TO: 2 | PF: 0
Cleveland set the tone early with aggressive drives, drawing contact, and consistently getting to the free-throw line. His efficiency was remarkable, and he showed excellent shot selection and control. He was the driving force for Miami’s offense.
Jalil Bethea
Miami | Guard | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 190 | Class: Freshman
Game Stats:
MIN: 32 | PTS: 21 | FG: 6-8 | 3PT: 3-4 | FT: 6-7 | REB: 6 | AST: 4 | STL: 0 | BLK: 1 | TO: 4 | PF: 2
Bethea had his most complete game yet, demonstrating his shooting ability, court vision, and ability to draw fouls. While he sometimes appeared to seek contact too much, his shot selection and composure with the ball showed notable growth. He continues to improve as a playmaker but must work on ball security. His performance reinforced his NBA potential.
Eddie Lampkin Jr.
Syracuse | Center | Height: 6-11 | Weight: 265 | Class: Senior
Game Stats:
MIN: 34 | PTS: 22 | FG: 8-12 | 3PT: 0-0 | FT: 6-6 | REB: 13 | AST: 6 | STL: 0 | BLK: 0 | TO: 0 | PF: 2
Lampkin was a force in the paint, using his size and strength to carve out space and finish efficiently. His rebounding gave Syracuse second-chance opportunities and helped limit Miami’s possessions. While his effort kept Syracuse in the game, it wasn’t enough to secure the win.
Chris Bell
Syracuse | Forward | Height: 6-7 | Weight: 192 | Class: Junior
Game Stats:
MIN: 22 | PTS: 14 | FG: 5-10 | 3PT: 2-5 | FT: 2-2 | REB: 2 | AST: 0 | STL: 0 | BLK: 1 | TO: 2 | PF: 2
Bell provided an instant scoring spark off the bench, utilizing crafty pump fakes and dribble moves to create mid-range shots. His confidence and shot-making ability stood out, and he looked comfortable in his role. While his offense gets him playing time, further defensive development could elevate his game.
Final Thoughts
Miami’s strong offensive execution, particularly from Cleveland and Bethea, proved too much for Syracuse. The three-point shooting disparity played a crucial role in deciding the outcome. Syracuse showed resilience, with Lampkin dominating inside and Bell providing key scoring moments. This game further highlighted Cleveland and Bethea as NBA prospects while showcasing areas of growth for Syracuse’s key players.