Syracuse men’s basketball (13-6, 4-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) has another ACC test on the horizon when NC State (13-6, 5-3 ACC) travels to the JMA Wireless Dome. Last time out, the Orange fell 85-69 to Florida State, in one of their worst offensive performances of the year.
SU is now 3-3 in its last six ACC contests. Despite one of the better scoring nights all season from Judah Mintz, along with JJ Starling’s improved shooting in the last few weeks, the Orange are still searching for consistency. NC State is another team at a crossroads. The Wolfpack have fallen in three of their last five, and netted just 47 points in regulation against Virginia last time out.
The last time the two squads met ended in a narrow 75-72 victory for the 'Cuse. SU has dominated the series as of late, with five straight wins, dating all the way back to February of 2020.
LISTEN: @Cuse_MBB upset No. 23 @PackMensBball 75-72 behind double-digit points from all five starters. @Calchristo1 and @JohnDales_ had the call. pic.twitter.com/kgskvGmBpd
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) February 15, 2023
Then-freshman Judah Mintz racked up 20 points in last year’s win in the Dome. After the Maryland native scored 28 and the Orange fell against FSU, it’s not a secret that others need to take more shots.
“Judah had the ball a lot.” Head Coach Adrian Autry said, “It seemed like anything that we tried to do, they shut us down.” the first year bench boss added.
The claim has substantial evidence to back it up as well. SU’s last win came just days before against Miami, and Mintz passed himself into 13 assists in the walk-off victory.
“[We have to] Keep sharing the basketball, the more the ball moves, the ball will find the right people.” Autry said after his squad downed the Hurricanes.
Things look good for an Orange bounce back, not only does NC State rank in the bottom five in the ACC in three point defense, but the Wolfpack are 3-6 all-time when they travel to the 315.
The Orange also welcome back legendary icon Dave Bing over the weekend. The 1966 graduate will be inducted into the Ring of Honor during the game. That senior season, the Washington D.C. native averaged over 28 points per game.
Ahead of former @Cuse_MBB star Dave Bing’s induction into the @Cuse Ring of Honor, @francescosim16 spoke with former SU head coach Jim Boeheim.@JaredValentin_ and @RyanBridgesTV highlight Boeheim’s thoughts on Bing and the program's current state.https://t.co/xV7jUUh5bd
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) January 27, 2024
Saturday marks the final home game in the month of January for the 'Cuse, it heads out on the road to clash with Boston College and Wake Forest before it returns home to face Louisville, one of the worst teams in the nation.
The SU defense tries to get back on track in the first of two NC State matchups this month. Tipoff on Saturday is at 7 p.m. You can tune to WAER 88.3 FM at 6:30 for McClurg Remodeling Countdown to Tipoff.