The temperatures aren’t the only thing dropping across the country - so is Syracuse’s momentum. The Orange took another hit Saturday, falling 85-76 to Miami, marking their third straight loss and raising serious questions about where this team is headed as the ACC schedule heats up.
From start to finish, Syracuse was chasing. The Hurricanes led for over 95% of the game, and while the Orange had their moments, they never quite found the rhythm or consistency needed to seize control. Miami’s offense was relentless, and Syracuse simply couldn’t string together enough stops or buckets to turn the tide.
Let’s break down the four biggest takeaways from a game that left the Orange reeling.
1. Inconsistency continues to haunt Syracuse
This wasn’t just a game of runs - it was a game of missed opportunities. And for Syracuse, two stretches stood out as particularly costly.
First, the opening minutes were a disaster. Miami came out firing, jumping to a 9-0 lead while Syracuse stumbled through its first six possessions with four missed shots and two turnovers.
Nearly four minutes in, the Orange were still scoreless. Credit to them for clawing back and tying it at 27-27 later in the half, but just when Miami cooled off, Syracuse couldn’t capitalize.
The defense was doing its job - contesting shots, forcing tough looks - but the offense couldn’t match the energy.
Then came the second half, and the script flipped. Syracuse found its shooting touch, hitting over 53% from the field in the final 20 minutes.
The game was tied again during that stretch, and it looked like the Orange might finally be turning the corner. But Miami answered with a barrage of its own, shooting a blistering 64% (18-for-28) in the second half and keeping the Orange at bay with a steady dose of pace and precision.
Here’s the stat that really makes you scratch your head: Syracuse had 10 fewer turnovers than Miami (16-6), outscored the ’Canes 17-4 in points off turnovers, and was nearly even on the offensive glass (8-5 Miami). And yet, they still lost by nine. That’s the kind of game that keeps coaches up at night.
2. The 2-3 zone giveth and taketh away
Both teams turned to the zone at different points, and while it had its moments, it wasn’t the game-changer Syracuse needed it to be.
After Miami’s hot start, Syracuse went to its trademark 2-3 zone, and initially, it did what it was supposed to - slow the pace, clog the lanes, and force the Hurricanes into tougher shots. The Orange stuck with it for most of the game, only briefly switching back to man-to-man.
But the zone wasn’t foolproof. Miami still shot over 61% for the game and carved it up late when Syracuse desperately needed stops. The Hurricanes adjusted by going bigger, leaning on the frontcourt combo of Malik Reneau and Ernest Udeh Jr., which forced Syracuse to counter with Donnie Freeman in the middle and extended minutes for Sadiq White Jr., especially when tasked with guarding Tre Donaldson.
On the other end, Miami’s own foray into zone defense worked even better. Syracuse struggled to generate consistent offense from beyond the arc, shooting just 6-for-21 from three (under 29%). Freeman and the guards found some success inside, but the outside shooting woes - combined with Miami’s ability to neutralize Syracuse’s transition opportunities - made it tough to mount a real comeback.
3. Defensive identity slipping away
Early in the season, Syracuse prided itself on defense. The numbers backed it up - top-tier defensive efficiency, active hands, and a gritty approach that made life tough for opponents.
But lately, that identity has started to crack.
Since holding Clemson under 65 points, the Orange have now allowed three of their last four opponents to score 80 or more. On Saturday, Miami did it with balance and execution.
Reneau led with 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting, but he wasn’t alone. Donaldson and Shelton Henderson each added 16, and Tru Washington chipped in 14.
It’s a troubling trend. Against Boston College, Virginia Tech, and Florida State - all recent matchups - Syracuse gave up big nights to multiple scorers.
That’s not just a bad game or two. That’s a pattern, and it’s one that needs fixing fast if the Orange want to stay competitive in the ACC.
4. The margins matter - and Syracuse isn’t winning them
Sometimes games are decided by stars. Other times, it’s about the little things - turnovers, rebounding, second-chance points. Against Miami, Syracuse actually won a lot of those battles.
They forced more turnovers. They cashed in off those mistakes.
They held their own on the offensive glass. But they still lost by nine.
That speaks to a bigger issue: when the Orange are good, they’re good in spurts. But when they’re off - whether it’s a cold start, a defensive lapse, or a stretch where the offense stalls - they don’t recover quickly enough. And in a league as deep and competitive as the ACC, that margin for error is razor-thin.
Looking ahead
Syracuse is now riding a three-game skid, and the road ahead doesn’t get any easier. The talent is there.
The flashes are there. But unless the Orange can find consistency - on both ends - and rediscover the defensive edge that defined their early-season success, they’re going to keep finding themselves on the wrong end of these matchups.
The ACC doesn’t wait for anyone. It’s time for Syracuse to respond.