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The New Year is almost here, just in time for one of the most consequential stretches of Adrian Autry’s coaching career. Syracuse’s third-year head coach is arguably coaching for his job in 2025-26, and after going 9-4 across their nonconference slate, the unranked Orange have a razor-thin margin for repeated error in Atlantic Coast Conference play.

SU, currently No. 89 in the NCAA’s NET Rankings, hosts Clemson (No. 38) on New Year’s Eve in its conference opener. The Tigers boast an experienced roster with balanced scoring, while the Orange are waiting to see if star forward Donnie Freeman can return from a lower-body injury, which has kept him sidelined for nine games, in time for tipoff.

Here’s how our beat writers think Syracuse (9-4, ACC) will fare against Clemson (10-3, ACC) Wednesday at the JMA Wireless Dome:

Aiden Stepansky (10-3)
Return of the Don
Syracuse 67, Clemson 64

Here we go. The ACC opener signals the beginning of what will define Syracuse’s season and whether the Autry era continues. The return of the Don, leading scorer Freeman, is perfect for SU to find its groove offensively, especially after J.J. Starling and Naithan George seem to be finding their rhythm. In a defensive battle, I see the Orange sneaking by for a victory.

Now, this won’t be pretty. We saw how Syracuse looked after its last big break, scraping by Saint Joseph’s. However, the Orange this time around enjoyed the holidays and earned a mental break. It was needed after a five-game stretch in 11 days. Clemson last played on Dec. 21, and in its final nonconference stretch, its offense also looked pitiful.

If Freeman wasn’t available, I would pick the Tigers. But with Freeman set to return, I see him being the closer going forward with his excellent free-throw shooting. It’s a trait SU has sorely missed and failed to replicate. Clemson possesses a spread-out scoring effort with five players over eight points per game. But, none is averaging over 12 points per game. That’s where Freeman will take over as the best player on the court.

Of course, Freeman will have his hiccups in his return. Though his absence in the final days of nonconference play felt more planned than precautionary. He’ll take over and lead SU to a marquee win, and might just kickstart a 5-0 start to conference play in the process.

Cooper Andrews (10-3)
New Year’s resoLutions
Syracuse 69, Clemson 73

In my humble opinion, New Year’s resolutions are ridiculous. They are fake ways to inspire oneself to make beneficial reformations that usually don’t result in any sort of sustained change. However, I’d be inclined to believe that Autry is a big New Year’s resolutions type of guy, given he constantly discusses his cheesy “level five fight” as Syracuse’s battlecry.

Autry’s New Year’s resolution is probably winning more games. As the New Year gets rung in, though, the Orange will be on a one-game losing streak after dropping their conference opener to Clemson.

Even if Freeman comes back, I don’t see Syracuse contending with Clemson’s methodical but efficient offense, led by RJ Godfrey and Jestin Porter. And with Freeman likely being a bit rusty by tipoff Wednesday, Starling, George, Nate Kingz and others haven’t shown enough ability to take over games for me to trust they will against a stout Tigers’ defense.

This contest will be similar to the Tennessee game, except Syracuse’s defense won’t be as dominant and its offense won’t close it out at the end. SU’s lack of true identity and schematic direction in the half-court offense will cost it once again as it’ll fail to sustain that large scoring run or two necessary to upset the Tigers.

Justin Girshon (10-3)
Happy New Year
Syracuse 67, Clemson 66

Going by the theory — which was pretty accurate throughout the nonconference slate — that Syracuse plays to its competition’s level, hallelujah for the Orange that it’s finally time for conference play. While playing down to the level of the Hofstras and Saint Joseph’s of the world, SU showed that it can hang with upper-echelon squads like Tennessee and Houston.

In what looks to be an improved ACC this year, that means Syracuse should see a plethora of Quad 1 and 2 games across the remainder of its schedule. That starts with a Quad 2 opportunity against Clemson.

I see this game being very similar to when the Orange upset the Volunteers earlier this month. Clemson boasts one of the slowest-paced offenses in the country, which bodes well for SU’s “fighter” mentality, where Autry wants his team to be in these close defensive battles.

While the Tigers enter the JMA Wireless Dome on a three-game winning streak, they haven’t played particularly well. With a new energy — maybe even a “level five” one — because Freeman is back in the lineup, I see SU pulling out a gritty one-point win in a low-scoring game to start the New Year’s celebration a few hours early.

Published on December 30, 2025 at 1:07 pm