Syracuse Needs to Bring the Energy, Not Just the X’s and O’s, Against Northeastern
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - At this point in the season, no one’s asking for perfection from Syracuse. Not a flawless offense.
Not a miracle turnaround. Just effort - consistent, relentless effort.
And as the Orange get set to host Northeastern on Saturday afternoon, that’s the one thing that absolutely has to show up.
Forget the stat sheet for a second. This isn’t about three-point shooting or assist-to-turnover ratios. This is about how hard Syracuse plays - because when this team is locked in and flying around the court, they’re a completely different animal.
The Identity Is Clear - When They Commit to It
Head coach Adrian Autry has pushed back on the notion that Syracuse’s offense is “broken.” And while that’s sparked plenty of debate, the real conversation might need to shift elsewhere - to energy, intensity, and how this team imposes its will.
When the Orange are at their best, they’re not just playing basketball - they’re dictating tempo. They’re speeding teams up, forcing turnovers, and turning defense into quick offense.
It’s not always pretty, but it’s effective. That chaos, that pace, that athleticism - that’s their identity.
We saw it in the loss to No. 3 Houston, when Syracuse pushed an elite team to overtime.
We saw it in the win over No. 13 Tennessee, when the Orange outworked and outran a top-15 squad.
Both of those games? Played without Donnie Freeman.
So it’s not about personnel - it’s about effort.
Autry’s Message Is Loud and Clear
If it sounds like a basic request - “just play hard” - that’s because it is. But it’s also something this team hasn’t consistently delivered.
Autry has been vocal about the lack of what he calls “level-five” energy. He mentioned it after the win over St.
Joseph’s and again after the flat loss to Hofstra. His players have echoed the same sentiment, including big man William Kyle III, who didn’t mince words after that Hofstra loss on Dec.
“We can’t just show up,” Kyle said. “We have to respect our opponent.
We can’t get too high on a big win and then do this. It’s unacceptable for Syracuse.
It’s unacceptable for everybody on the team. It’s unacceptable for me - I have to do more as well.
We have to be a lot better, a lot better for sure.”
That’s a veteran leader taking accountability. And it’s the kind of mentality this team needs to carry into every game, no matter the opponent or the setting.
Creating Their Own Spark
There are some understandable factors at play. The students are on winter break, the Dome hasn’t had the same energy, and the weather hasn’t helped attendance. But none of that can be an excuse.
Championship-caliber teams - and make no mistake, Syracuse wants to be one - find ways to generate their own momentum. They don’t wait for the crowd to get loud. They bring the juice themselves.
That’s the challenge for Saturday against a 4-5 Northeastern team. Syracuse, sitting at 7-4, can’t afford to play down to the competition. They’ve already learned that lesson the hard way.
Bottom Line
This isn’t about scheme. It’s not about rotations or shooting charts. It’s about showing up with purpose and playing with the kind of intensity that makes Syracuse a nightmare to deal with.
The Orange don’t need to be perfect. But they do need to be relentless. That starts with effort - and it starts Saturday.
Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. ET. Let’s see what kind of Syracuse team shows up.