Syracuse men’s basketball: 3 key takeaways from the Orange’s 69-64 loss to Notre Dame

Syracuse’s “two-pointers-only” challenge falls just short at South Bend.

The Syracuse Orange (4-4, 0-1) suffered their second straight loss on Saturday, falling 69-64 to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (5-5, 1-0) in their first ACC matchup of the season.

With both teams missing their top scorers, the game turned into a defensive battle. Syracuse trailed for most of the contest, only briefly taking the lead in the second half. Despite keeping the game within reach, the Orange struggled to produce consistent offense and, for the first time since 2014, failed to hit a single three-pointer.

Here are the main takeaways from Syracuse’s ACC opener:

Attack the Paint or Bust

Syracuse went 0-for-9 from beyond the arc, scoring exclusively in the paint, from the foul line, or on mid-range shots. On a positive note, Donnie Freeman and Jyare Davis provided much-needed scoring consistency. Freeman recorded a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Davis also scored 20 points and grabbed 4 boards. Together, they accounted for 62.5% of Syracuse’s offense. With J.J. Starling sidelined due to injury, the Freeman-Davis duo offers a reliable offensive option moving forward.

Jaquan Carlos also showed improvement, contributing 8 points, 7 assists, and 2 steals while attacking the rim more effectively and avoiding passive play. However, Notre Dame’s eight three-pointers, led by Braeden Shrewsberry’s 25 points on 6-of-11 shooting from deep, gave the Irish an edge Syracuse couldn’t overcome.

Rotation Still a Work in Progress

 

 

Coach Adrian Autry experimented with several lineups before settling on a closing group of Carlos, Elijah Moore, Lucas Taylor, Davis, and Freeman. Early-season tinkering is understandable, but Syracuse’s rotation remains unsettled, particularly with Starling out. Players like Chris Bell (4 points, 1-for-5 shooting) and Eddie Lampkin (5 points, 5 rebounds) saw limited second-half action, while Chance Westry and Petar Majstorovic had only brief appearances.

Autry emphasized postgame the need for intensity and energy, and the Notre Dame matchup should offer valuable insights as the Orange gear up for the remainder of their non-conference slate.

SOS on Perimeter Scoring

Syracuse’s lack of perimeter offense was glaring throughout the game. Carlos showed flashes of potential as a playmaker, but the team remains heavily reliant on Freeman and Davis for scoring. Once Starling returns, he should help boost Syracuse’s offensive versatility. However, the guards need to step up—Bell is off to a slow start, and Taylor, Westry, and Cuffe have yet to make significant offensive contributions.

If perimeter struggles persist, the Orange may need to lean heavily on attacking the basket and forcing turnovers to compensate. While the Freeman-Davis pairing offers promise, relying on them to consistently deliver 20-point performances may not be sustainable, especially against tougher ACC competition.

Syracuse’s half-court offense could limit its ceiling this season unless the team finds ways to generate scoring from other areas. The Notre Dame game underscores the need for adaptability as the Orange navigate the challenges ahead.