In a game that left Syracuse fans with more questions than answers, the Orange fell to No. 16 North Carolina, 77-64, despite the Tar Heels missing their standout freshman, Caleb Wilson. Without Wilson, who’s nursing a left hand fracture, UNC still managed to improve their Quad 1 record, while Syracuse’s struggles in high-stakes matchups continued.
The Orange, now at 1-8 in Quad 1 games, are staring down the barrel of a fifth straight season without a March Madness appearance. Head Coach Adrian Autry noted that keeping UNC in the 70s should have been enough to give Syracuse a fighting chance, especially with Wilson’s 19.8 points per game off the floor.
Yet, the offensive support was lacking, with J.J. Starling being the lone bright spot, dropping a game-high 22 points.
Starling’s efforts were overshadowed by Syracuse’s shooting woes, particularly from beyond the arc. The team shot a dismal 3-of-17 from three-point range, with Tyler Betsey contributing all three makes, two of which came late in the game.
Donnie Freeman, usually a reliable scorer, found himself stifled by UNC’s defensive strategy. The Tar Heels frequently switched to smaller defenders and doubled him in the post, limiting Freeman to just nine points before he fouled out. This was a stark contrast to his performance in their previous matchup, where he exploded for 18 first-half points.
UNC’s defense, orchestrated by Head Coach Hubert Davis, effectively neutralized Freeman’s impact. Davis emphasized the importance of disrupting Freeman’s rhythm, particularly when he catches the ball off the block.
Syracuse’s offensive struggles were compounded by the performance of Nate Kingz and Naithan George, who combined for just 20 points on 7-of-25 shooting. Kingz, in particular, faced challenges on both ends, tying a season-low with four points and finding himself in foul trouble.
Despite these issues, Syracuse kept the game close for the first 28 minutes, even tying it at 44-44 after a steal and dunk by William Kyle III. However, an 8-0 run by UNC, sparked by senior Seth Trimble’s defensive prowess, swung the momentum decisively in the Tar Heels’ favor.
Trimble’s steal and transition dunk over Starling were pivotal, giving UNC a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. This marked Syracuse’s seventh double-digit loss of the season, further highlighting their Quad 1 struggles under Autry’s leadership.
For Syracuse, the path forward is clear but challenging. To salvage their season and make a meaningful postseason push, they’ll need to finish strong and make a statement in the ACC Tournament. The potential is there, but the execution has been lacking.
As the season winds down, the Orange must find a way to overcome these hurdles and reignite their campaign. The talent is present, but the clock is ticking.