Syracuse men’s basketball looks to close Players Era Festival strong against Iowa State

Syracuse men's basketball (4-2, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) returns to MGM Grand Garden Arena for its final matchup at the Players Era Festival. SU faces undefeated No. 15 Iowa State (6-0, 0-0 Big 12) on Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET, its third game in less than 48 hours against a high-level opponent.

After nearly upsetting No. 3 Houston, Syracuse struggled to find its rhythm in a 71-60 loss to Kansas. The Orange shot a season-worst 31% from the field, went 7-for-30 from three, were outrebounded 49-29, and recorded their lowest offensive start of the year, with just 25 first-half points.

SU head coach Adrian Autry said the Orange’s struggles weren’t just about shot-making, but the energy that fuels their offense.

“It’s about our energy on both ends of the floor. We got good shots, some we could make and some we didn’t. But it really falls back to our concentration and our effort.”

Syracuse is still adjusting without its leading scorer, sophomore forward Donnie Freeman, who remains out with a lower-body injury. With Freeman sidelined, the Orange needed a boost from their veteran guards — but senior J.J. Starling finished with just 10 points on 3-of-13 shooting.

“I’m fully back. Now it’s just finding my rhythm and playing with high energy,” Starling said. “I know I can score, but I’m not focused on that. I’m focused on defending and letting everything else come naturally.”

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Freshman Kiyan Anthony had his first scoreless half of the year and finished 2-for-12; while Oregon State transfer Nate Kingz, one of the nation’s best shooters last season, continued his cold stretch, making just one of his five shots from deep.

But despite the evident offensive struggles reflected in the box score, Autry repeatedly returned to one theme: energy.

“When you talk about ‘Level Five energy,’ it’s five guys connected, our bench connected, everybody in sync,” Autry said.

The overtime battle versus Houston was a glimpse of that intensity, but the matchup against Kansas less than 24 hours later lacked that power. The Orange’s lackluster performance in shots both behind the arc and at the charity stripe defined their loss.

But there’s no time to dwell on the past. SU turns its attention to a physical Iowa State unit playing with something to prove. Despite a 2-0 showing in Vegas with wins over No. 14 St. John’s and Creighton, the Cyclones are the only undefeated team in the tournament left out of both the championship and third-place games. That frustration makes Wednesday’s matchup a dangerous one for Syracuse.

Iowa State hasn’t played a competitive game all year outside of its one-point win over St. John’s, and the Cyclones boast one of the most complete profiles in the field. They rank sixth in the nation in defensive efficiency, holding opponents to under 60 points and forcing 18 turnovers a game.

The Cyclone’s offense is equally balanced. Iowa State shoots over 36% from three, over 59% inside the arc, and features a two-headed scoring threat in point guard Tamin Lipsey and forward Joshua Jefferson.

The biggest storyline entering this game is the injury status of Lipsey, who left the Creighton game with a lower-body injury and is a game-time decision. Lipsey averages over 18 points, five assists, and three steals; and is the engine behind the Cyclone’s turnover creation. Jefferson averages over 18 points and eight rebounds and anchors a front court that plays with force and pace.

Syracuse has faced two top-level opponents, taken one to overtime, and shown both promise and growing pains so far in this year’s Players Era Festival. Iowa State will be another challenge but also another early-season measuring stick. Coverage continues on 88.3FM and waer.org, beginning with McClurg Remodeling Countdown to Tipoff at 12:30 p.m. ET.