Syracuse Puts Up Season-High 91 Points, But Defensive Concerns Still Loom for Autry’s Squad
Syracuse fans saw something Saturday afternoon they hadn’t seen all season - a 91-point offensive outburst from the Orange, capped by a win over Northeastern at the JMA Wireless Dome. But while the scoreboard showed progress on one end, head coach Adrian Autry walked off the court thinking about the other.
“We put up some numbers today,” Autry said postgame. “But it was at the expense of our defense.”
That quote tells you everything you need to know about where this team is right now. Yes, the offense looked sharp.
Yes, young players like Tyler Betsey, Nate George, and Kiyan Anthony stepped up and knocked down clutch free throws. But when you give up 83 points to Northeastern - a team that came in as a heavy underdog - it raises real questions, especially with ACC play looming.
The Defensive Drop-Off
Autry didn’t sugarcoat it. He pointed to a lack of sustained defensive intensity - something that’s been missing since the Tennessee game, in his words. And he’s not wrong.
Earlier this season, Syracuse looked like a team that could hang its hat on defense. In their first three games, the Orange didn’t allow more than 50 points.
Since then? They’ve given up 73 or more four times.
Saturday’s 83 points allowed was the second-highest total they’ve surrendered all year.
That’s a red flag.
Syracuse’s offense isn’t built to win shootouts. The 91-point outburst was aided by 48 free-throw attempts - an unusually high number.
And while they converted 34 of those, this isn’t a team known for its consistency from the stripe or beyond the arc. The Orange have struggled from both the free-throw line and three-point range all season.
So when the defense slips, there’s not much margin for error.
Youth, Opponents, and Energy Gaps
So what’s behind the defensive slide? It’s not just one thing.
Youth and inexperience are clearly part of it. This roster leans heavily on underclassmen.
Kiyan Anthony and Sadiq White are freshmen. Betsey is a sophomore.
These guys are still learning what it takes to bring consistent energy and focus for a full 40 minutes at the college level. Defensive lapses are part of the growing pains.
Then there’s the level of competition. Syracuse has shown up against top-tier opponents - they battled hard in tight games against Houston and Kansas and beat then-No.
13 Tennessee. But when the lights aren’t as bright, the energy hasn’t been the same.
Playing down to the level of competition is a dangerous habit, especially in a conference as unforgiving as the ACC.
And let’s not overlook the atmosphere in the Dome. Since the Tennessee game, the crowd hasn’t had the same juice.
The students are on winter break, the weather’s turned cold, and the energy inside the building has dipped. That kind of environment can seep into a team’s performance - especially a young one.
William Kyle III: Holding Down the Paint
If there’s one player who can’t be faulted for the defensive struggles, it’s William Kyle III. He’s been a rock in the middle - one of the top rim protectors in the country.
His presence continues to be a bright spot, and he’s doing everything he can to anchor the defense. But he can’t do it alone.
For Syracuse to find its early-season identity again, the perimeter defenders need to hold their ground, communicate, and stay locked in. Kyle can clean up a lot, but even the best shot-blockers need help keeping drivers in check and rotating effectively.
Looking Ahead
Syracuse has one more tune-up before the ACC grind begins - a Monday night matchup against Stonehill. On paper, this is a game the Orange should control. Stonehill is 3-9 and winless on the road, but they’ve been competitive, pushing DePaul, Fairfield, and New Hampshire to the wire.
This is less about the opponent and more about Syracuse. Can they bring the defensive energy back?
Can they play with the same grit they showed against Tennessee? That’s what Autry wants to see.
Because once conference play begins, there won’t be any room for defensive lapses. The Orange are 8-4, and while the offense may continue to evolve - especially with Donnie Freeman expected back soon - it’s the defense that will define how far this team can go.
If Syracuse wants to be more than just a middle-of-the-pack ACC team, it starts with getting back to the basics: effort, communication, and toughness on the defensive end. The talent is there. The question is whether the intensity will follow.