With Syracuse legends past and present in the building, the Orange delivered a performance that felt as much about pride as it was about points. On a night when the program honored the late Lawrence Moten - the school's all-time leading scorer - and welcomed Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim back to the JMA Dome, Syracuse snapped a four-game losing streak with a much-needed 86-72 win over Notre Dame.
This one had emotion, but it also had execution - something that’s been missing at times during a rocky 2025-26 campaign. Syracuse (13-9, 4-5 ACC) played arguably its most complete game of the season, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
With a trip to No. 16 North Carolina looming, this win could serve as a turning point if the Orange can bottle what worked and bring it on the road.
Let’s break it down.
Star Power Shines Bright
Redshirt senior Nate Kingz was nothing short of electric. He poured in 28 points on 11-of-17 shooting, including a 5-of-10 clip from deep. His confidence was contagious - every time he rose up, the Dome held its breath, and more often than not, it erupted.
J.J. Starling added 21 points and five assists, and perhaps just as importantly, didn’t turn the ball over once.
That’s efficiency you can build a game plan around. Facing his former team, Starling looked poised and in control, a steady hand guiding the Orange offense.
Down low, senior center William Kyle III brought the muscle - 10 points, eight boards, and a pair of blocks. He anchored the paint and helped Syracuse win the rebounding battle, 34-28.
Ball Movement, Low Turnovers, High Efficiency
This was the kind of offensive rhythm Syracuse has been searching for all season. The Orange shot 57.1% from the field and 40% from three.
They dished out 21 assists on 32 made field goals and committed just six turnovers. That’s the formula.
Sophomore forward Tyler Betsey chipped in eight points, including two big threes, and junior point guard Naithan George was masterful in his role as floor general - 10 assists, zero turnovers. That kind of performance doesn’t just show up in the box score; it sets the tone for the entire team.
A Shake-Up in the Starting Five
One of the more intriguing moves from head coach Adrian Autry came before the opening tip. Freshman forward Sadiq White Jr. started in place of sophomore Donnie Freeman, the team’s leading scorer. A team spokesperson confirmed it was a coach’s decision, not injury-related.
White responded with energy - five points, six rebounds - and brought the kind of hustle Autry has been calling for. Freeman still saw solid minutes off the bench and contributed seven points and six boards of his own. It’s a storyline to watch, especially with a tough stretch of games ahead.
The Numbers Tell the Story
Syracuse didn’t just win - it dominated in key areas. The Orange led in:
- Assists: 21-11
- Turnovers forced: 10-6
- Bench points: 18-10
- Blocks: 4-0
- Steals: 7-3
- Points off turnovers: 13-5
They also held a slight edge in rebounds and second-chance points. Notre Dame did win the battle in the paint (38-36), but Syracuse matched them in transition (9 fast-break points apiece) and more than made up for it with perimeter shooting and ball security.
A Win Beyond the Box Score
Beyond the numbers, this was a win that meant something. The energy was different.
The bench was locked in. The crowd responded.
On a night when the program honored one of its all-time greats, the current roster played with a sense of purpose - and that’s not always a given in college basketball’s grind of a season.
Yes, Notre Dame is struggling this year, but this wasn’t about the opponent. This was about Syracuse finding its identity again - sharing the ball, defending with urgency, and playing for each other.
Now comes the real test. A road trip to Chapel Hill awaits. But if the Orange can carry Saturday’s effort with them, they might just be ready to turn the page on a frustrating stretch.
For one night, at least, the Orange looked like a team that still has something to say in the ACC.