The Syracuse Orange are gearing up for a crucial matchup against the Southern Methodist University Mustangs in the opening round of the ACC Tournament. Tip-off is set for Tuesday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. ET, and both teams have plenty on the line.
Syracuse enters as the No. 14 seed after wrapping up the regular season with a 15-16 record, including a 6-12 mark in conference play. Meanwhile, SMU holds the No. 11 seed and is teetering on the edge of an NCAA Tournament berth, making this game pivotal for their postseason hopes.
For Syracuse, it’s about more than just extending their season. Head coach Adrian Autry’s future hangs in the balance after back-to-back losing seasons, adding extra weight to this tournament run.
The ACC Tournament format is straightforward but intense. The top 15 teams qualify, leaving Notre Dame, Boston College, and Georgia Tech on the outside. Notably, both Georgia Tech and BC have recently parted ways with their head coaches.
Tuesday’s action kicks off with the 10-15 seed matchups, setting the stage for Wednesday's games, which will feature teams ranked 5-9 and the winners from the opening round. The top four seeds await in Thursday's quarterfinals, and the championship game is slated for March 14.
In addition to Syracuse vs. SMU, Tuesday’s lineup includes No.
15 Pitt taking on No. 10 Stanford at 2 p.m.
ET, followed by No. 12 Virginia Tech against No.
13 Wake Forest at 7 p.m. ET.
Fans can catch the Syracuse game on the ACC Network, with local radio coverage on TK99/105 and streaming available via the Syracuse Sports App. The broadcast team includes Wes Durham, Debbie Antonelli, and Dennis Scott, a former ACC Player of the Year.
Key storylines to watch:
- Player Availability: Keep an eye on Kiyan Anthony and Sadiq White Jr., who missed the final regular season game against Pitt due to injuries. Their presence could be crucial after Syracuse's narrow overtime loss.
- Momentum from Previous Matchup: The Orange edged out SMU 79-78 earlier in the season, thanks to a last-second heroics from Nate Kingz. Can they replicate that success?
- Scoring Contributions: Syracuse needs a boost from JJ Starling, who was held scoreless in the loss to Pitt. His performance could be a deciding factor, especially if this turns out to be his last collegiate game.
As the Orange take the court, the stakes are high, and the potential for drama is palpable. Whether it's advancing in the tournament or defining the future of the program, every dribble counts.