Syracuse men’s basketball (13-10, 4-6 Atlantic Coast Conference) heads back on the road still searching for answers.
The Orange have dropped five of their last six games, most recently an 87-77 loss at No. 14 North Carolina, and now face another ranked challenge Saturday against No. 18 Virginia (19-3, 8-2 Atlantic Coast Conference).
After opening ACC play 3-1, Syracuse has slipped into a midseason rut, and head coach Adrian Autry says the issue comes down to one thing.
“We just have to be more consistent in what we’re trying to do,” Autry said.
One of Syracuse’s biggest problems during this stretch has been defense. The Orange have allowed 85 or more points in three of their last four games, a stark contrast from early in the season when SU ranked among the nation’s best in scoring defense.
Autry believes the Orange may have found something late against UNC by returning to their zone defense.
“I thought the zone got us back into it,” Autry said. “It slowed them down, made them pass it … and it kept some of the guys that we needed to stay out there to stay out there.”
Syracuse trailed by as many as 32 points before closing the game on a 35-10 run, showing flashes of what it can be when locked in defensively.
That task will only get tougher on Saturday. Virginia averages more than 83 points per game, the sixth-best mark in the ACC, led by forward Thijs De Ridder, who is scoring nearly 17 points per contest, among the league’s top scorers.
Comin’ in clutch 🫡
— ACC Men's Basketball (@accmbb) February 2, 2026
A career-high 32 points in the double-OT win earns @UVAMensHoops Thijs De Ridder ACC Player & Rookie of the Week. pic.twitter.com/JfNzpe8IL7
While defense has been a concern, Syracuse’s offense has also been uneven. Guards JJ Starling and Nate Kingz combined for nearly 50 points against Notre Dame, but managed only 21 against North Carolina. Meanwhile, leading scorer Donnie Freeman bounced back from a season-low six points against Notre Dame with 23 points against the Tar Heels.
“Our inability to get anything constantly going on offense was a big issue,” Autry said.
Virginia has built its success on the defensive end, allowing fewer than 70 points per game, the third-best mark in the ACC.
The Cavaliers are also one of the top shot-blocking teams in the league, averaging nearly six blocks per game. Big men Ugonna Onyenso and Johan Grunloh rank second and third in the conference in blocks, trailing only Syracuse forward William Kyle.”
Saturday’s matchup marks SU’s seventh Quad 1 game of the season. The Orange are 1-5 in those contests this year and 4-22 overall in Quad 1 games under Autry.
Still, Autry believes his team has time to turn things around.
“There’s more games to be played,” Autry said. “I like this group, but we’ve got to put it together.”
Syracuse and Virginia tip off Saturday at noon in Charlottesville. WAER’s coverage begins at 11:30 a.m. with McClurg Remodeling Countdown to Tipoff.
