Syracuse Searching for Answers at Point Guard-and Beyond-as ACC Play Heats Up
Right now, Syracuse looks like a team still trying to find its footing-especially at the point guard spot. After moving on from the Jaquan Carlos experiment, the Orange had hoped to stabilize their backcourt.
Instead, they’re facing more questions than answers, with freshman Naithan George caught in a tough stretch. His struggles-particularly with turnovers-have clearly rattled his confidence, and it’s showing in how little he’s impacting the game on either end.
But let’s be clear: George isn’t the only issue. Syracuse has dropped two straight, and with Miami rolling into the JMA Wireless Dome, the Orange are staring down a critical stretch in ACC play.
A Second-Half Spiral
Syracuse’s second-half performances against Boston College and Virginia Tech have been, frankly, hard to watch. The Orange averaged just 34 points after halftime in those two games. And it wasn’t just the scoring drop-off-it was how disjointed things got once the game tightened up.
The ball stopped moving. The offense turned into a series of one-on-one attempts and low-percentage jumpers.
Drives into traffic ended with nothing to show for it. And the numbers paint the picture: Syracuse had nine assists on 13 first-half field goals against Virginia Tech.
In the second half? Just four assists on 13 makes.
Center William Kyle summed it up well: “Our shot selection was really bad at times. We got to know what shots to take at what time.”
He’s not wrong. Kyle himself went 5-for-6 in the first half for 10 points-and didn’t take a single shot in the second half.
That’s a problem.
Donnie Freeman admitted he needs to be more vocal in getting Kyle the ball when he’s got it going. That kind of awareness and leadership is exactly what Syracuse needs more of right now.
The Numbers Behind the Slide
Let’s talk about where this team is statistically-and why it matters. Syracuse currently ranks 177th in the country and 10th in the ACC in 2-point field goal percentage, according to KenPom. That’s a tough place to be for a team that often settles for midrange jumpers without much ball movement to create better looks.
Head coach Adrian Autry, after the Virginia Tech loss, emphasized the “stuff in the margins”-rebounding, taking care of the basketball. And yes, those things matter.
But so do shooting percentages and free throws, especially when you’re trying to close out tight games. Against BC and Virginia Tech, Syracuse lacked the late-game execution that separates wins from losses.
With just under eight minutes left in Wednesday’s game, Syracuse had scored only 12 second-half points. They were 5-for-16 from the field, 1-for-6 from deep, and had only attempted two free throws.
By the time the clock hit 2:11, they had just 20 second-half points. That’s not going to cut it in the ACC.
Turnovers are part of the issue. Syracuse ranks 16th out of 18 ACC teams in turnover margin and sits 14th in assist-to-turnover ratio. That’s a recipe for offensive stagnation.
“You don’t got to be so extra,” Nate Kingz said. “Just make the simple passes and be strong with the ball.” Simple advice, but right now, it’s exactly what the Orange need to hear.
A Tough Road Ahead
The schedule isn’t doing Syracuse any favors. Virginia Tech, despite a few heartbreaking ACC losses, is a well-coached team that’s starting to find its rhythm. The Hokies dropped three conference games by a combined five points, then bounced back with wins over Notre Dame and Syracuse-games they had to have to stay in the postseason conversation.
Now, Syracuse faces a gauntlet of ACC matchups. The league is deeper and more talented this year, and every game is going to be a battle. The Orange know they’re running out of time to right the ship.
“I’m not giving up. Nobody on this squad is going to give up,” Kyle said.
“We can win any game for the rest of the season. We just got to do the things that we need to do.
We just got to stick to the game plan.”
Freeman echoed that sense of urgency: “Every game from here on out, we got to play with desperation.”
A Bright Spot from Deep
If there’s a silver lining, it’s this: Syracuse has quietly become one of the better 3-point shooting teams in ACC play. After struggling from deep early in the season-ranking near the bottom of the conference in both percentage and makes-they’ve flipped the script.
In ACC games, Syracuse is shooting 40.3% from beyond the arc, good for third in the league. That’s a major turnaround.
Tyler Betsey and Nate Kingz have been key to that surge. Betsey is shooting a blistering 59.1% from three in conference play (13-of-22), while Kingz is hitting at a solid 35.1% clip (13-for-31). Freeman has cooled off lately-just 3-for-12 from deep in his last three-but still provides a stretch option.
There was a moment in the first half against Virginia Tech when both Betsey and Kingz were on the floor while George and JJ Starling sat with foul trouble. That lineup may not have the same playmaking chops, but it had shooting-something this team needs more of.
Syracuse ranks just 12th in the ACC in 2-point percentage but third in 3-point shooting. That’s a clear identity shift waiting to happen. The question is: can they lean into it without sacrificing ball movement and offensive flow?
Scouting Miami
Next up is Miami, and the Hurricanes bring size, experience, and a handful of matchup problems.
It starts with Malik Reneau, a 6-foot-9, 238-pound senior forward who transferred in after three seasons at Indiana. He’s averaging 19.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game and is a tough cover inside and out.
He gets to the line frequently and converts nearly 80% of his free throws. He can even step out and knock down a three.
Alongside him is Ernest Udeh, a 6-11, 266-pound big who started at Kansas and spent two years at TCU. He’s a massive presence in the paint and adds physicality to Miami’s frontcourt.
Running the show is point guard Tre Donaldson, a 6-3 senior who ranks among the ACC’s best in assists and assist-to-turnover ratio. He’s also averaging 16 points per game, though he had a rough outing in Miami’s recent loss to Florida State.
And then there’s Shelton Henderson, a 6-6, 240-pound freshman who doesn’t play like a freshman. He’s averaging 14.3 points and brings a unique blend of size, strength, and skill to the wing. He can drive, defend, and hold his own physically against almost anyone.
Miami’s non-conference schedule was light (KenPom ranks it 340th nationally), and the Hurricanes don’t face Duke this season, which helps. But they’ve looked solid overall-until FSU clamped down on them defensively and handed them a 65-63 loss. That game, and a 61-point effort in a loss to Clemson, show that Miami can be slowed down.
Still, this is a big, experienced team that will test Syracuse in the halfcourt and on the boards.
What’s Next?
For Syracuse, the path forward is clear-but not easy. The Orange need better point guard play, smarter shot selection, fewer turnovers, and more consistent execution in the second half. They’ve shown flashes-especially from deep-but haven’t put it all together for a full 40 minutes.
The ACC isn’t waiting around. If Syracuse wants to stay in the postseason mix, the time to figure it out is now.
As Freeman said, every game from here on out has to be played with desperation. The margin for error is gone.