As the calendar flips to a new year, the stakes rise for Syracuse and Clemson, who tip off their ACC schedules on Wednesday in a matchup that should give us an early read on where both teams stand in a crowded conference race.
Both squads come into this one riding three-game win streaks, but the paths they took to get here tell different stories.
Syracuse: Building Chemistry, Finding Their Backcourt Identity
The Orange (9-4) have handled business in their last three outings, notching wins over Mercyhurst, Northeastern, and Stonehill. While those aren’t exactly resume-defining victories, they’ve served a purpose: helping Syracuse sharpen its offensive rhythm and, more importantly, giving its backcourt a chance to gel.
Naithan George has been the headliner, dropping 22 points in back-to-back games. He’s playing with confidence and showing a knack for controlling tempo.
J.J. Starling added 20 in the most recent win over Stonehill, while Nate Kingz rounded out a trio that combined for 55 points and knocked down 8-of-15 from beyond the arc.
That kind of efficiency from deep is exactly what head coach Adrian Autry has been hoping for.
“When you talk about our backcourt, that’s how we envision it,” Autry said postgame - and it’s easy to see why. The guard play has been decisive, balanced, and, at times, explosive.
Against Stonehill, Syracuse only led by six early in the second half before flipping the switch and cruising to a 77-48 win. That ability to close out games with authority will be crucial in the ACC grind.
Still, George knows there’s another level to reach.
“Glad we got a dub, but next game we gotta dominate to build that momentum for ACC play,” he said. “We just gotta execute.”
Clemson: Surviving Tests, Showing Depth
Clemson (10-3) arrives in upstate New York on its own three-game heater, but it’s been more of a rollercoaster. Wins over Mercer, South Carolina, and Cincinnati all came by seven points or fewer, and the Tigers nearly let a 27-point lead slip away against the Bearcats before hanging on to win the Greenville Winter Invitational.
Credit Dillon Hunter for keeping his cool when it mattered most. With three seconds left and the game on the line, he stepped to the stripe and calmly knocked down two clutch free throws.
“I was talking to myself,” Hunter said. “Telling myself, ‘I’m knocking these down and we’re going to win the game.’”
That kind of composure under pressure is what separates contenders from pretenders in a conference as deep as the ACC.
What’s also encouraging for Clemson is the scoring balance. Six different players hit double figures against Cincinnati - no small feat in a game where the team only scored 68 points. Ace Buckner and Carter Welling led the way with 12 apiece, but this is clearly a team that doesn’t rely on just one or two guys to carry the offensive load.
Momentum vs. Rust
Both teams are coming off extended holiday breaks - Syracuse hasn’t played since Dec. 22, while Clemson’s last outing was Dec. 21. That layoff could lead to some early-game rust, especially with the added intensity that comes with the start of conference play.
And while the Orange are trying to establish themselves under Autry’s leadership, Clemson enters with a recent edge in the series. The Tigers have won the last four meetings, including an 86-72 win last January in South Carolina.
But streaks don’t last forever, especially in a league where matchups can swing wildly based on hot shooting, foul trouble, or one player catching fire. With both teams looking to make a statement out of the gate, expect a physical, high-energy battle between two squads still figuring out just how high their ceilings might be.
One thing’s for sure: the ACC season is here, and both Syracuse and Clemson are ready to find out what they’re made of.