Syracuse Men's Basketball Falls 100-85 to Colgate, Ends Decades-Long Streak

For the first time since February 24, 1962, Syracuse men’s basketball has lost to Colgate, 100-85. It’s no secret that the Orange own the Raiders— but, after 59 years, Colgate has flipped the script.

Out of the gate, the Orange appeared set on thrashing the Raiders, thanks to a 22-5 start. Combo guard Joe Girard built upon his red-hot start to the season with 12 over the course of SU’s big run. The junior guard is off to a scorching-hot start to the season, averaging 19.3 points while shooting over 90% from three-point range.

For the ‘Cuse, the 2-3 zone was, to be frank, zoned out. “Defensively, we’re not winning any games with this defense,” attested Head Coach Jim Boeheim. “Colgate is one of the best teams against the zone. We did a terrible job of adjusting.”

The Orange offered little resistance away from the goal, surrendering 43 to Colgate’s starting back-court. The Raiders’ Jack Ferguson poured in 25, all while shooting a blistering 6/13 from beyond the arc.

Even when the Orange forced a miss— a rare task given how the Raiders shot 18/43 from three, SU was outhustled. “Jesse [Edwards] and Frank [Anselem] need to do a better job,” Boeheim exclaimed regarding rebounding. “Six-foot guards are blocking out [Syracuse’s] centers.” The Raiders outrebounded the Orange 38-33 despite starting four players under 6’6.”

With no resistance against Colgate’s shooters, SU had to tread water. While Girard pulled his weight with 27, the rest of the Orange were ice-cold, shooting 2/15 from beyond the arc. Despite a 27.3% three-point shooting start for wing Cole Swider, the Villanova transfer shot 40.2% in his final season as a wildcat. In response, the Raiders hedged screens and made life difficult for Swider all night. “They’re not going to give Cole any open threes,” claimed Boeheim. The Rhode Island-native finished a sluggish 0/4 from three-point land.

Colgate exploited Syracuse’s lack of point of attack resistance with curls and pull-up shooting. With a rigid formula that seems to have worked for over five decades, Syracuse fell victim to Colgate’s latest three-point raid.

Syracuse men’s basketball is back in action Wednesday, November 24 when SU takes on VCU in the first round of the Battle4Atlantis. The Orange tip off at 5 p.m. with WAER’s coverage beginning at 4:30.