Syracuse (12-16, 6-11) defeated NC State (11-17, 4-13) 74-60. The Wolfpack entered the game desperate for a win, while Syracuse had a chance to get closer to clinching a spot in the conference tournament. For one of the rare times this season, the Orange dominated from start to finish. Syracuse has been enduring one of the worst seasons in program history. The half-filled stadium reflected the struggles of the team.
Even the student section was barely 20% full. The JMA Dome no longer carries the same energy it once did. The highlight of the night was a section of fans dressed in banana costumes—members of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity who at least brought some life to the student section. The atmosphere no longer feels like a hostile road environment for visiting teams, and NC State failed to capitalize on the road, allowing Syracuse to run away with the game.
Photo Cred: WAER
The Orange played with a sense of urgency at home, jumping out to a strong lead and never looking back. They were led by veterans JJ Starling, Jyrare Davis, and Eddie Lampkin, the only three players to reach double digits. Head coach Adrian Autry leaned heavily on his starting lineup, with only five players logging over 20 minutes. Known for sticking with hot lineups, Autry’s decision to rely on his experienced players was unsurprising given the importance of the game for ACC tournament implications.
Next Up:
With matchups against Virginia and Virginia Tech, the Orange have an opportunity to climb a few spots in the ACC standings. However, their primary focus should be on securing a spot in the ACC tournament before worrying about seeding. The season will close with a road trip to SMU. The final three games should be enough for the Orange to clinch a spot in the conference tournament.
If Syracuse Makes the Conference Tournament, What Are Their Chances?
The Orange have struggled throughout the season. Heading into the conference tournament, they will be without five-star recruit Donnie Freeman, and the timeline for first-year guard Elijah Moore’s return is uncertain. Injuries aren’t the primary issue—Syracuse simply has not been a good team. They lack cohesion and struggle in several areas: free-throw shooting, offensive consistency, three-point shooting, transition defense, and more. There are many reasons why Syracuse has only won 12 games this season.
Photo Cred: SU
Given their poor form, I don’t believe Syracuse has much of a chance to make a run in the conference tournament. They’ve won only two road games, and it’s doubtful many Orange fans will make the trip to North Carolina for the tournament. The most likely outcome is that Syracuse will lose in the first round of the ACC tournament, which could put head coach Adrian Autry’s job in jeopardy.
