Syracuse, N.Y. - The Syracuse men’s basketball team is determined to fight through to the end of the season, but their recent performances are making it a tough sell.
After a week to regroup from a crushing defeat against Duke, the Orange fell short again, suffering a 13-point home loss to North Carolina. This was a game where the Tar Heels played without their star player and were considered underdogs.
Just a week ago, Syracuse showed resilience with back-to-back victories, but that momentum faded quickly in front of a packed JMA Wireless Dome, boasting the largest crowd in the nation this season.
The national spotlight was on them, with the Duke loss airing on ESPN’s “Big Monday” and the North Carolina game on ABC. Syracuse’s struggles were highlighted, including the ejection of their star player and several moments where they were outplayed, dropping their record to 15-13.
Guard Nate Kingz expressed uncertainty about the team’s mindset, saying, “I don’t really have an answer. Just got to find the positive in things and try to finish the season strong.”
Despite the large turnout, the Dome was mostly subdued until Will Kyle III’s steal and dunk tied the game at 44 with 12 minutes left. The crowd came alive, but Syracuse couldn’t sustain the momentum, allowing UNC to score eight straight points and take control.
Syracuse’s late-game execution faltered, a recurring issue during Autry’s three seasons as head coach. Fans began leaving with four minutes left, and the team exited to a chorus of boos.
Autry’s record against ranked teams fell to 2-12, with an overall record of 49-44, marking the second-worst winning percentage among SU’s head coaches.
The lackluster play was epitomized by a first-half moment when North Carolina’s Zayden High out-hustled Syracuse’s Kyle for a loose ball, leading to an extra possession and a 27-20 lead for the Tar Heels. UNC head coach Hubert Davis highlighted the play as a game-changer, emphasizing the importance of “little boring mundane things that make big things happen.”
Syracuse has struggled with these fundamentals, and it’s been a while since a player showed similar enthusiasm. Just days earlier, freshman guard Kiyan Anthony was outpaced to a loose ball by Duke’s Darren Harris, despite Duke’s commanding lead.
Coach Autry noted there wasn’t much to do tactically against Duke’s overwhelming talent, and on Saturday, poor shooting from beyond the arc (3-for-17) compounded their struggles. “When the shots are not falling, they close ranks,” Autry explained.
The Orange are grappling with limitations in talent depth and shooting, unable to match teams like Duke. The Tar Heels capitalized even without their projected NBA lottery pick, Caleb Wilson, though Syracuse’s defeat could have been worse if UNC hadn’t struggled at the free-throw line.
The team’s season-long struggles have intensified scrutiny and fan frustration, particularly with a looming five-year absence from the NCAA Tournament. On Saturday, the Orange seemed overwhelmed by it all.
Sophomore Freeman ended his night in the locker room after an ejection following two technical fouls, the first for taunting and the second for exchanging words with High. Autry, typically reserved in his public criticism, appeared visibly frustrated.
“It’s about recovery, it’s about being composed,” Autry said. “At this moment in time, it’s not what we want to do. But emotions and trying to win and competing, that happens sometimes.”
With time running out, Syracuse faces a crucial week before their next game at Wake Forest. Whether Saturday’s performance was a blip or a sign of deeper issues remains to be seen, but with only three regular-season games left, the path ahead is uncertain.