Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe to our sports newsletter here.

Coming off a loss Syracuse simply couldn’t afford, its 81-73 overtime defeat to Boston College Saturday, the Orange are back at home Wednesday night with a lot to prove.

SU will square off against Virginia Tech, a program head coach Adrian Autry worked at from 2008-11, in its sixth Atlantic Coast Conference matchup of the season. The Orange are in danger of losing two straight games for the first time since an 0-3 Las Vegas trip for the Players Era Festival. On the other hand, the Hokies are searching to build on their 13-point win over Notre Dame over the weekend.

Here’s how our beat writers think Syracuse (12-6, 3-2 ACC) will fare against Virginia Tech (14-5, 3-3 ACC) in the JMA Wireless Dome Wednesday for a 9 p.m. tipoff:

Aiden Stepansky (13-5)
Needed wake-up call
Syracuse 72, Virginia Tech 68

Admittedly, I’ve been very bashful of Syracuse lately. And for good reason. You can’t lose to the last-place team in the conference with this much on the line. Though every team needs a wake-up call. The Orange got one just enough to take down the Hokies.

VT has impressed at times this year, but lacks consistency in ACC play, especially on the road. The Hokies have lost their two conference games away from Cassell Coliseum by a combined margin of four.

Neoklis Avdalas and Amani Hansberry both pose threats with their size, but after its recent blunders, I see Syracuse coming out much stronger defensively than in its last few games. Defense was the trademark of this team through the season’s opening half, and they notably lost their identity. Playing the Hokies will bring some of that juice back after an embarrassing loss. Still, Syracuse will have to hit shots regardless.

Am I saying this will kickstart a monumental winning streak to flip SU’s season in the right direction toward March Madness? Absolutely not. But for now, think of it like a pick-me-up, getting back on track for a more difficult path in the near future.

Cooper Andrews (14-4)
Do the (Hokie) Pokey
Syracuse 69, Virginia Tech 67

This past weekend, I had some business to take care of back home in Chicago, where I watched Syracuse’s utterly embarrassing eight-point loss to Boston College beside my Grandma on the couch. She, too, was shocked at the result. How could a team playing for a coach whose job is likely on the line this season fall to what many metrics say is the worst team in the ACC? “Welcome to modern-day Syracuse hoops,” I told her.

However, the Orange’s pain from their defeat in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, will be short-lived. I have SU rallying together to nab a key home win against a very beatable opponent, hanging on to beat VT by a singular basket.

It’s going to come down to Syracuse’s stout defense and getting the ball inside to Donnie Freeman and William Kyle III. Virginia Tech allows its opponents to shoot a higher-than-average 52.8% clip from 2-point range — the Orange must take advantage through their backcourt, feeding their big men and letting them work.

VT’s tallest rotational player, Christian Gurdak, doesn’t assert himself very well down low. Freeman and Kyle will feast. On the opposite end, they’ll spit out VT’s guards on any given drive opportunity.

Wednesday’s contest is a chance to somewhat erase what happened versus BC. All the Orange need to do is beat the Hokies to turn themselves around.

That’s what it’s all about.

Justin Girshon (13-5)
Still swinging
Syracuse 73, Virginia Tech 70

It’s extremely difficult to believe in this Syracuse team, especially after what happened on Saturday. But, I’m not counting them out just yet.

Deep down, I truly do believe the Orange have a good roster and can compete with anyone, despite coming off a loss to the worst team in the ACC. As I wrote heading into the matchup against the Eagles, there’s a lot to be desired from players like Naithan George, J.J. Starling and Nate Kingz.

Starling has had his moments, while Kingz just had his best game since transferring to SU. George, too, has had his moments, but the lowlights have outweighed the highlights. For Syracuse’s season to get back on track, it starts with George being the All-Conference-like point guard he was brought in to be.

Coming off arguably his worst game in an Orange uniform, I think a bounce-back win hinges on whether George plays solid, turnover-free basketball. Virginia Tech has a very solid and deep rotation, but it doesn’t have a bona fide star that can be counted on to take over down the stretch.

As long as Syracuse wins the turnover battle, I see it prevailing down the stretch to defend its home court.

Published on January 20, 2026 at 10:11 pm