Syracuse searches to start ACC play on right foot against Virginia Saturday

Following a dominant 80-57 victory over LSU in the JMA Wireless Dome on Tuesday, Syracuse (5-2, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) is back on the road for a match at Virginia (6-1, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference). The Orange, which have won their last two, are in search of their first triumph over the Cavaliers since the 2019-20 season.

SU emerged victorious in its last game against LSU thanks to a star-studded performance from guard Judah Mintz. The sophomore notched a career-high 33 points, leading the way for all players on the night.

“To be honest, I was having fun,” Mintz said. “My teammates and the fans were rooting me on so it’s obviously fun to go out there and have a big performance in front of my fans and family.”

Mintz has scored 20 or more points in five of the Orange’s seven games this season.

“That’s the best I’ve seen since he’s been here in his two years,” Syracuse head coach Autry said following his team’s victory. “This is by far his best game. He really kept us in that first half by getting to the free throw line, attacking, and being aggressive. I thought defensively today he didn’t gamble, he kept people in front, and when he does that he sets the tone for our defense.”

Aside from Mintz, forward Chris Bell stepped up for the Orange with a second-most 20 points for his team. The California native has registered double-digits in five of SU’s contests in 2023.

“I think he’s grown and gotten better,” Autry said of his forward. “That’s what you expect to see from year to year in improvement. He’s worked hard and obviously is more comfortable with the college game.”

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Unlike their win against the Tigers, the Orange have struggled with Virginia in recent memory. SU has dropped its last five against UVA, four of which have been decided by single digits.

This year, the Cavaliers enter their contest with the Orange having won their last two. Head Coach Tony Bennett’s squad took down No. 14 Texas A&M 59-47 in its inaugural ACC/SEC Challenge game on Wednesday.

Like its upset win earlier this week, Virginia’s defense has proven stout against its competition. The Cavaliers enter Saturday’s duel with the second-ranked defense in the country, allowing opponents to just 52.9 points per game. UVA is also home to last year’s ACC Defensive Player of the Year in Reece Beekman.

In both its matchups with Virginia last year, Syracuse fell by a margin of seven points or less. The Orange aim to thread the needle against the Cavaliers at noon on Saturday. WAER’s coverage begins at 11:30 a.m. with McClurg Remodeling Countdown to Tipoff.