Syracuse men’s basketball hosts Clemson in ACC opener

It’s been an up-and-down start to the season for Syracuse men’s basketball (9-4, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference). SU gets its first opportunity to prove it can consistently compete as it hosts Clemson (10-3, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) in its ACC opener on Wednesday at 2 p.m.

After coming off a 14-19 campaign — their worst in over half a century — the Orange opened the year on a high note. Syracuse scored 10 straight points against Binghamton, its best start to a season opener in 17 years. SU followed that by holding Delaware State to its fewest points since 2020 and limiting Drexel to under 22% shooting, the lowest mark Syracuse has allowed since 2014.

The next game brought a scare, when the Cuse edged Monmouth by just five. But Syracuse found its footing again during Feast Week in Las Vegas at the Players Era Festival, taking No. 2 Houston to overtime and holding its own against Kansas and Iowa State. Since then, results have been inconsistent.

Still, the Orange closed non-conference play with momentum, erupting for a 25-7 second-half run to blow past Stonehill by 29.

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That night also marked a milestone for SU guard J.J. Starling, who poured in a season-high 20 points to become the 67th player in program history to reach 1,000 career points.

“It feels amazing,” Starling said postgame. “I’m thankful for my teammates, thankful for my coaches, to put me in a position to do that.”

After the early-season ups and downs, Syracuse hopes its most recent performance carries over into conference play. But the Orange will be tested immediately with a hot Tigers squad.

Clemson enters Wednesday’s matchup on a historic run. The Tigers closed the 2024-25 season with school records in regular-season wins (26) and total victories (27); finished a program-best 18-2 in ACC play, including wins over AP top-five teams Duke and Kentucky; and went 9-1 on the road in conference action, their first winning league road record since 1986-87.

But Clemson underwent major roster turnover in the offseason. The Tigers lost five of their six leading scorers, with seven players graduating or exhausting eligibility and six others entering the transfer portal. That left just three returners for head coach Brad Brownell’s squad.

Even so, Clemson has reloaded its roster with new faces stepping into major roles. The Tigers have shown no signs of slowing down — their three losses total just 14 points. In its most recent matchup, six Clemson players scored in double-figures to secure the win over Cincinnati.

Junior Carter Welling and redshirt freshman Ace Buckner led the way, netting 12 points a piece.

Welling played one season at UC Irvine and his most recent at Utah Valley, where he earned Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors and recorded 21 double-digit scoring performances, including five 20-point games. The forward is now tied for second at Clemson in total points and points per game with guard Jestin Porter, averaging 10.5 a contest.

Other Tigers to watch out for include senior guard RJ Godfrey who leads the team in total points (147) and PPG (11.3); and senior guard Dillon Hunter, the only primary returner (9.3 PPG), who tied his career-high with seven rebounds versus Cincinnati.

Clemson has won the last four straight over Syracuse, each by at least nine points. For the Orange to snap that streak, it starts with sharper execution and confidence.

“Being aggressive. That’s the mentality,” Starling said.

“Deceisiveness. Living with each decision I make,” SU guard Naithan George said. “These guys gave me confidence I will go there and get it done,” George.

Autry kept the focus on the details.

“We’ve got to continue to take care of the basketball, work and improve on our free throw shooting, continue our fight, and make our fight consistent. That's really it,” he said.

Syracuse hosts Clemson at 2 p.m. Our coverage on WAER starts at 1:30, with McClurg Remodeling Countdown to Tipoff.