Syracuse vs. Notre Dame: A Crucial Matchup Amid Uncertainty and Frustration at the Dome
Syracuse basketball is back in action Saturday evening, hosting Notre Dame at the JMA Wireless Dome in a matchup between two programs searching for answers. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. ET, with the game airing on The CW.
Let’s set the stage: Syracuse entered the night on a four-game losing streak, and the tension around the program is starting to boil over. Meanwhile, Notre Dame arrived with a similar record and standing, both teams sitting neck-and-neck in the NCAA’s NET rankings at 79 and 80, respectively. That’s not exactly at-large resume territory, and with February now underway, time is running out for either squad to make a meaningful push.
But beyond the records and rankings, this game carries more emotional weight for Syracuse. The team honored former Orange great Lawrence Moten, who passed away in September at the age of 53, with a halftime ceremony. Moten remains the program’s all-time leading scorer and an iconic figure in Syracuse basketball history.
Pregame Shock: Donnie Freeman Benched
Before the ball was even tipped, there was a surprise. Donnie Freeman - Syracuse’s leading scorer and a key piece of its offense - was not in the starting lineup.
According to a team spokesman, Freeman wasn’t injured, but no further explanation was given. That opened the door for freshman Sadiq White to make his 11th start of the season.
White had previously filled in for Freeman during a nine-game injury absence earlier this year.
Head coach Adrian Autry praised White’s effort following Tuesday’s loss to NC State, noting that he left him on the floor with four fouls because, in his words, White was “the only player on the floor who was trying.” That’s a telling quote - and one that speaks volumes about the current state of the locker room.
First Half: Starling Stays Hot, Syracuse Finds Rhythm
Syracuse came out with energy, and it didn’t take long for JJ Starling to establish himself as the go-to guy. Starling was red-hot early, knocking down his first four shots - including three from beyond the arc - and racking up 11 quick points. His third triple came off a crisp extra pass from Naithan George, part of a 9-0 Syracuse run that gave the Orange some breathing room.
The ball movement was sharp, and the offensive rhythm was noticeably better than in recent games. Syracuse was getting quality looks against a Notre Dame defense that, while disciplined, struggled to contain the Orange’s perimeter shooting and off-ball movement.
Sadiq White made his presence felt early, too - staying active on the glass, keeping possessions alive, and showing chemistry with Starling. One sequence stood out: White grabbed an offensive rebound, finished a lob from Starling under the rim, and then returned the favor by finding Starling for a straight-on three at the top of the key.
On the other end, William Kyle delivered a highlight-reel rejection on a driving attempt by Notre Dame’s Jalen Haralson, while Garrett Sundra hit a desperation three to momentarily cut into Syracuse’s lead.
Still, the Orange were in control for much of the half. With just under 10 minutes left, Syracuse led 21-12, and the energy inside the Dome - though tense - was starting to build.
A Program at a Crossroads
Beyond the box score, there’s a larger story unfolding in Syracuse. The Orange faithful are restless. Student sections have begun chanting for a coaching change during home games, and Autry’s weekly radio show recently became the target of a prank that underscored the growing discontent.
Autry and Notre Dame’s Micah Shrewsberry both stepped into massive shoes when they took over their respective programs. Neither has fully found their footing. And while both schools boast proud basketball histories - ranked seventh and eighth all-time in Division I wins - the present feels uncertain.
In South Bend, basketball often plays second fiddle to football. But in Syracuse, hoops is the heartbeat of the winter.
That’s what makes the current mood so combustible. Every home game now feels like more than just a contest - it’s a referendum on the direction of the program.
And with the crowd size Syracuse typically draws, that atmosphere can turn quickly. Wins help. But if the losses keep piling up, the volume of frustration will only grow louder.
For now, the Orange are trying to stop the slide. And tonight’s game against Notre Dame - two teams in similar positions but different realities - might be less about tournament hopes and more about pride, progress, and proving something to a fanbase that’s desperate for a reason to believe again.