Syracuse hits the hardwood in ACC Tournament play this afternoon against SMU. The Mustangs were the last team the Orange defeated this season, but their high-powered offense looks to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive.
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The Orange lost their regular season finale, making it five losses in a row. How bad are things looking for the Orange, both now and in the future?
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Nate Kingz following in the footsteps of Michael Gbinije by making the midseason free throw routine change of removing dribbling.
Donnie Freeman, Naithan George, and Bryce Zephir are the only SU players to score in the second half, just as planned.
There is 11:22 standing between Syracuse and their second straight losing season.
(Two wins would be required in the ACC Tournament to avoid it if they don't come back today.)
Zephir scored to stop the 12-0 Pitt run, but five guys standing around on offense isn't the way to get back in this.
Orange shooting 2-of-9 to start the second half, down to 35.3% for the game. Pitt now shooting 60% inside the arc, 43.2% overall.
After Pitt took their biggest lead of the half at 20-11, they shot just 4-of-14 from the floor, including 0-for-8 from 3-point range.
Syracuse is sticking around in large part because Pitt is just 2-of-13 from long range. Arguably their two best long range shooters, Minor and Indrusaitis, have missed all eight of their tries from deep.
Wake trails Cal at half, 37-29.
The biggest difference between the two teams on the stat sheet thus far is Pitt has a five offensive boards to Syracuse's one and have turned them into eight points.
Pitt not having to work very hard to get good looks. Missing some, but that's not the point.
Wake Forest is struggling to shoot early in their game with Cal and are down 13 midway through the first half. Door open for SU to step up to the 13-seed in the ACC Tournament.
With Anthony and White out today, the Syracuse rotation players: George-Starling-Kingz-Freeman-Kyle should start; Souare off the bench at center, Betsey at forward, and some Zephir at guard. Pitt normally plays six guys meaningful minutes, so not a major issue barring foul trouble.
This is a very good destination for Gerry McNamara this offseason.
Syracuse and Pitt face off in the regular season finale tomorrow. Get up to speed on a game that likely will have meaning for both teams with our preview:
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The difference in ball movement between the two teams is striking. Louisville moves the ball quickly with the players knowing they will get it back and get shot attempts. Syracuse is slow, unsure, and some players seem more invested in themselves than the team.
White crashing the offensive glass as soon as he gets in the game. Nice sign for the freshman.
Just an extremely disappointing first half from the Orange on offense. White getting banged up and leaving the game while being the leading scorer for SU is the cherry on top.
Orange have made just 2-of-13 shots as the first half is winding down.
Orange are 6-of-21 with seven turnovers.
Sadiq White is the only SU player to make a field goal in over eight minutes.
Far too many possessions ending in shots late in the clock. Seems like a couple guys are aggressive on offense tonight, others very passive.
Of Louisville's last five shots, four have been made. Two dunks, two 3's. Orange defense wavering early.
Zone defense looking shaky out of the box. Not sure you want to play it much against the team with the third-highest 3-point rate in D-I.
Syracuse plays their last road game of the season tonight, facing a Louisville team looking to snap a two-game slide. It'll be an uphill battle for the Orange, as our @dsafetyguy.bsky.social explains.
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Just a lost season. There was more reason for hope after this Orange team lost three straight games in Las Vegas before Thanksgiving than there has been at any point since ACC play began. No mid-week game with Wake Forest next Saturday.
Pressing on defense, trailing by double digits. Second-best 3-point shooter on the bench.
SU players other than Starling are 3-of-12 from the floor this half.
This Syracuse team lacks a simple offensive action they can just go to for generating an easy shot. Everything is labored, most things are reliant on 1-on-1 play. It's just not a good way to play, even with a lot of offensive talent.
