Syracuse loses 88-68 to NC State in 5th Quad 1 opportunity
Syracuse never led or tied NC State Tuesday night, falling 88-68 in Raleigh. Donnie Freeman and J.J. Starling combined for 41 points, marking 60% of SU’s total. Eli Schwartz | Asst. Photo Editor
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Quad 1 opportunities are usually rare. For Syracuse, they’re ever-present throughout the remainder of its season.
The Orange haven’t played a Quad 1 game since Dec. 2, when they knocked off then-No. 13 Tennessee. But out of SU’s last 11 games, seven are currently regarded as Quad 1 opportunities. The first was in Raleigh.
Syracuse (12-9, 3-5 ACC) fell to NC State (15-6, 6-2 ACC) 88-68 Tuesday for its fourth-straight loss — its longest skid under head coach Adrian Autry. The Wolfpack led from wire to wire as the Orange fell to 1-4 in Quad 1 contests.
NC State established itself instantly. Off the opening tip, Preseason ACC Player of the Year Darrion Williams instantly drove to the bucket for two. NC State easily worked to the hoop as the Orange faltered, taking a 10-2 early lead.
Williams is averaging 13.9 points per game, less than his mark with Texas Tech a season ago. He dropped just seven points against Pitt on Saturday, yet he already scored eight in the first four minutes versus Syracuse.
With the Wolfpack soaring, former SU guard Quadir Copeland is at the front of their success. Out of the current Orange squad, Copeland was only ever teammates with J.J. Starling, and the two barked back-and-forth at each other throughout the night.
Despite NC State’s quick start, Syracuse battled back to make it a 16-15 game. Though Williams went right back to work and Copeland split SU’s 2-3 zone. Donnie Freeman kept the Orange in the game with 16 first-half points, and Nate Kingz delivered two 3s on his first two attempts.
With each SU bucket, NC State answered with one of its own. Copeland dropped eight points and six assists through the first 20 minutes as the Wolfpack led by four.
Freeman’s first-half excellence carried into the second frame with a layup to cut the deficit to two. The Orange never led or tied the game through all 40 minutes. When Freeman made it close, Williams answered with two 3s to build a 49-41 lead, pushing his tally to 18 on the night. He entered Tuesday averaging only 10.3 points per game across his last three outings.
Meanwhile, Starling and Naithan George struggled mightily as the Wolfpack pulled away. SU’s starting backcourt consisted of a Preseason All-ACC selection and the reigning conference assist leader. The duo combined for 9-of-31 shooting from the field, and 6-of-18 in the second half.
The Orange began the frame 0-for-6 from 3 before Starling splashed one to put the deficit within reach. Again, NC State was there to push its lead back up, working inside with Ven-Allen Lubin. Then Copeland went to work again, finishing an and-1 before flexing his new school’s name on the front of his jersey into the television camera.
As Syracuse’s defense couldn’t make a stop, Starling turned into the version of himself from a year ago. He pulled up to shoot any chance he could, often turning into inside heaves near the rim. Though Starling did find a groove from the midrange as Freeman’s scoring tally rose, too.
The heroic efforts from Freeman and Starling didn’t mean much, despite the returning duo combining for 60% of SU’s overall points. Copeland’s stardom took over, while the rest of his supporting cast continued their usual success. As a result, the Orange sank further in the conference standings.
