Coming off Saturday's buzzer-beating thriller, @Cuse_MBB made just one three-pointer in its first home loss of the season. @bespector and @JoePuccio_ had the call. pic.twitter.com/Y5x5PqbkGR
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) January 24, 2024
All season, Syracuse men’s basketball (13-6, 4-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) has been successful because of its fast-paced, high-flying style of play. Against quad-one opponents, the Orange had been exposed. Turnovers played a big factor in all of SU’s losses. The fast play was successful against similar-level and inferior opponents until last night. Florida State (12-7, 6-2 ACC) forced 16 turnovers en route to a 85-69 win.
For the first time this season against a non-quad-one team, the Orange ran out of energy in the second half. After leading by one at halftime, the ‘Cuse were outscored by 17 in the final 20 minutes.
Orange head coach Adrian Autry was honest postgame about where his team fell short, “I thought they wore us down. Once the game got a little bit ahead, we kind of just ran out of gas.”
The biggest difference between the two halves was SU’s struggles shooting the ball. The Orange shot 48% from the field in the first half and just 40% in the second. For the first time since 2018, Syracuse made just one three-pointer in a game.
SU forward Chris Bell connected on a left-corner three in the first half.@bespector was on the mic for the California native's first points of the night.
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) January 24, 2024
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Syracuse point guard Judah Mintz was a bright spot scoring with 28 points but outside of him, the team couldn’t figure it out. The sophomore gave Florida State’s second-half defense a lot of credit, “I think we just kind of got away from it. We started standing around waiting for others instead of moving.”
The lack of movement on offense is especially evident on the box score when looking at assists. The Orange finished with just seven, tied for the second least all season. Syracuse is 1-4 when having 10 or less assists in a game this season.
SU guard J.J. Starling explained some of the difficulties moving the ball, “With a team like Florida State that switches everything, you’re going to have less assists. But, don’t get me wrong there was times we could have drove and make a kick out but we just didn’t make those plays.”
Next up on the docket is the third straight home game. Syracuse hosts NC State (13-5, 5-2 Atlantic Coast Conference on Saturday. The Wolfpack force turnovers more often than every team but Flordia State in the ACC. SU legend Dave Bing will be inducted into the ring of honor at halftime. WAER’s coverage beings at 6:30 p.m. with McClurg Remodeling Countdown to Tipoff.