Syracuse men’s basketball hopes to end its tough stretch on a positive note against No. 17 Tennessee in the ACC/SEC Challenge

Syracuse men's basketball (4-3, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) returns to the 315 for the first time since November 18. SU concludes its tough stretch of basketball against No. 17 Tennessee (7-1, 0-0 Southeastern Conference) in the ACC/SEC challenge on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

The Orange are coming off a 0-3 showing in the Players Era Festival last week, but hope to turn the page and pull off an upset victory in front of their home crowd. Head Coach Adrian Autry was optimistic despite failing to pick up a win in Las Vegas.

“We will learn a lot from this. We will get better. We will continue to push. What I’m asking my guys to do is very hard, very taxing. We will continue to get better at it,” he said.

The 'Cuse hung around with its top-tier opponents for the most part, including a trip to overtime against No. 3 Houston in the first game of the festival. However, SU allowed 60 points in the second half of its third game against No. 15 Iowa State.

It’s going to be a challenge if Syracuse can’t bring the energy against Tennessee. The Volunteers went 2-1 in Vegas, featuring a 76-73 upset win over the Cougars, despite getting outrebounded and shooting under 30% from beyond the arc. Nevertheless, Autry and his team are eager for tougher competition.

“We’re excited to be honest with you. That’s what you want. You gotta play these games. That’s why I went out here. We walked away with three Quad one opportunities and you got to have those. We’re very disappointed that we couldn’t get the results that we wanted. In today’s game, in your non-conference, you have to put yourself in position. We are excited to have those opportunities.”

One player who has continued to improve with every opportunity is forward Sadiq White. The five-star recruit tallied a team and individual season high 14 points on six of seven shooting in the loss to the Cyclones. On the campaign, the freshman averages 7.6 points per game, knocking down nearly 60% of his tries from the field.

On the other hand, the Volunteers are a force to be reckoned with. Tennessee’s defense is one of the best in the conference, limiting opponents to about 65 points per contest, the second fewest in the SEC.

On the offensive end, the 'Vols are led by star guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie and freshman forward Nate Ament. The senior, a transfer from Maryland, is already having his best collegiate season, leading the team in minutes, points, and assists. Ament, the five-star recruit, is off to a fast and hot start, recording 17.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3 assists per outing.

SU guard Naithan George will most likely match up with Gillespie on Tuesday. The junior struggled in the Players Era Festival, only racking up 21 total points on under 30% shooting in three games. George also turned the ball over 13 times in those matchups. Autry is confident that his point guard will turn it around.

“I don’t worry about Nait. He’s a resilient kid and a hard worker. He’ll get it turned around. We believe in him and all our players,” he said.

Cuse.com

Tuesday feels like a must win game for Syracuse. It's the Orange’s final Power 4 non-conference opponent of the season. If SU is unable to come away with a victory, it could prove fatal on Selection Sunday in March.

Coverage begins on 88.3FM and waer.org with McClurg Remodeling Countdown to Tipoff at 6:30 p.m. ET.