The season for Syracuse men’s basketball (9-12, 3-7 Atlantic Coast Conference) continues to get worse and worse. When SU lost to Stanford Wednesday night, it marked the first time this year the Orange have dropped three straight contests. But the trip out west didn’t end there. Syracuse head coach Adrian Autry and company stayed out in the Pacific Time Zone for an extra few days to battle Cal (11-10, 4-6 ACC).
The Golden Bears and the Orange both sit below .500 in conference play along with over half of the ACC. A win would be crucial for each team. For Cal, It could jump to within the top eight in the conference, while a win for Syracuse could propel it into the top nine.
The stretch of opponents for SU right now can’t go understated. In a three game span, Syracuse has to face the top three scorers in the ACC. It started against Stanford when forward Maxime Raynaud (20.5 PPG) finished with 21 points and 15 rebounds Wednesday night.
“He’s really good,” Syracuse head coach Adrian Autry said when asked about Raynaud. “You don't see guys his size in college, you see them at the next level. He’s as good as advertised.”
consistent greatness
— Stanford Men's Basketball (@StanfordMBB) January 30, 2025
21 PTS | 15 REB | 3 AST | 3 STL#GoStanford | @maximeraynaud42 pic.twitter.com/jHTIjo9O8d
Now the Orange have to face off against Andrej Stojaković (18.9 PPG) who enters on a cold slump. The sophomore enters shooting 8-29 in the last two contests. There is a chance however, that the forward misses his fourth consecutive contest with an ankle injury which would be a huge break for the ‘Cuse. To make matters worse, following the road trip, Syracuse returns home to host freshman Cooper Flagg (19.9 PPG) and 2nd ranked Duke. Stopping the focal point of opposing offenses is crucial for SU to find its way back into the win column.
ELECTRIC.
— Cal Basketball (@CalMBBall) January 12, 2025
📺 » ACC Network#GoBears x @AndrejSto2 pic.twitter.com/CuHiMh86pD
Cooper Flagg had 19 PTS (7/11 FG), 10 REB, 5 AST & this poster dunk tonight! pic.twitter.com/5vJpL2JdbA https://t.co/3SJbwjDFFJ
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) January 8, 2025
The difference this year for Autry and his team has been the trip across the nation.
“I think the biggest thing was the travel,” he said. “That was something that for our guys was the first time doing and first time for us doing.”
Once Syracuse returns from Cal, the Orange leave the East Coast just one more time when it battles SMU in early March. Until then, four of the next six contests are back in Central New York.
Gametime from Haas Pavilion is set for 10:00 EST. Tune in starting at 9:30 with McClurg Remodeling Countdown to Tipoff on 88.3FM and waer.org.