Manifesting that when we turn the calendar, J.J. Starling is healthy again
The Syracuse Orange dropped to 0-2 in ACC play and 6-7 on the season after an 81-71 defeat Tuesday afternoon at the hands of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. It was their second Dome loss of the campaign and marks the first time since 1969-70 that they’re entering the new year with a sub-.500 record.
Our final takeaways of 2024:
Dead on Arrival, Then Came a Revival
This game seemed like it was over before it had a chance to really get underway.
The 17-2 Wake start in the first 4:45 gave me rather unpleasant flashbacks to one of my memories as an SU undergrad: watching the 2022 Duke squad blow straight past the Orange defense and quickly silence the Dome crowd.
While there was much less of a crowd to silence this time, the same principle applies. Slow starts have been this team’s M.O. for two months but not usually to this extent. There seemed to be zero communication on either end of the floor.
To their credit, the Orange turned the tempo completely around, cutting the deficit all the way down to three at 23-20. But after Eddie Lampkin made both free throws on a generous foul call, Cameron Hildreth drilled a clutch three to stall the comeback. Then Wake got a makeup call on Lampkin and whatever momentum ‘Cuse had was gone.
While there were points were the deficit got smaller, and even a few brief moments where SU had the lead in the second half, they couldn’t regain their stride for long enough to pull away.
Changing of the Guards
The only reason Syracuse was at all in this game is their bench production: 25/34 first half points and 40/71 overall came off the bench.
In particular, it was a career day for Kyle Cuffe. The junior guard went off during the early rally to the tune of 13 points (tying a career-high), including making 8/9 at the line. That unfortunately did not carry over out of the locker room, as he got only one point and missed all nine field goal tries from that point on.
Lucas Taylor also had his best performance in a Syracuse uniform, shooting 6/11 (3/7) for 16 points and five rebounds. He also played a season-high 36 minutes.
Rich Barnes-Imagn Images
Jaquan Carlos matched Taylor for a team-best 16 points, which is also his personal best in the 315. 6/9 points came at the line and he also dished out four rebounds and four assists.
On a day where Elijah Moore and Donnie Freeman both struggled to do much of anything, it was nice for the vets to take charge and give the Orange a fighting chance. The freshmen have had to carry the load too much in a year that was supposed to feature steady production from the transfer class, and while the rookies left a lot to be desired today, the others showed some signs of life.
Will Red Keep his Resolutions?
Adrian Autry’s stock has been rapidly trending down for most SU fans. I would also put myself in that category.
While I can appreciate what went right today, many of the same wrongs continue to repeat themselves:
- Turnovers galore – 18 of ‘em in fact.
- Missed free throws – only eight points left off the board was actually an improvement from some earlier games, but it still cost SU here.
- The arc – Syracuse shooters remain allergic to it. I’m really grasping at straws when Taylor’s 3/7 clip seems good in comparison… but the team still shot under 25% from deep.
- Defensive breakdowns – how many times will the opposition just set up shop in one area and wreak havoc? First it was hammering downtown, then the worst 3pt-shooting team in Power basketball drops 6/10 in the second half?
Whether Autry could actually be coaching for his job (doubtful in my eyes) in 2025 remains to be seen, but his postgame presser repeated many sentiments you’re probably sick of hearing by now.
Yes, the early deficits continue to be a problem. Yes, Chris Bell continues to be a total non-factor. Yes, shooting is a mess across the floor. But there are winnable games on the calendar in January – the ACC is primed for a very weak year by its standards – and with or without J.J. Starling in the lineup, time is rapidly running out for Autry to figure things out.
Either he’s the right man for the job, or he’s not.