Observations from SU’s ACC Tournament loss to SMU: Fitting end, inside gap
Although Nate Kingz scored a team-high 25 points, Syracuse couldn't pull off a win against SMU Tuesday, ending its season in the ACC Tournament First Round. Courtesy of The Atlantic Coast Conference
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Syracuse tripled its investment in its men’s basketball team entering its third season under head coach Adrian Autry. But yet again, the Orange found themselves as the No. 14 seed in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament.
A disappointing year, where the goal was to break a four-year March Madness drought, is far past its boiling point. Against SMU on Tuesday, the Orange fought to make it a close game in the first half, but ultimately deteriorated in a fitting fashion down the stretch. SU attempted a final run and cut the lead to 10. However, the run was a few minutes — and months — late.
After missing the NCAA Tournament again, the loss likely spells the end of the Autry era.
Here are some observations from No. 14 seed Syracuse (15-17, 6-12 ACC) 86-69 ACC Tournament First Round loss to No. 11 seed SMU (19-13, 8-10 ACC):
Inside difference
Even in Syracuse’s win over SMU on Feb. 14, it was dominated inside. The Mustangs won the points in the paint battle 44-26. They outrebounded the Orange 41-35. SMU tallied 27 second-chance points to SU’s six. A month later, that discrepancy didn’t change.
Against Syracuse’s starting lineup, SMU easily penetrated the lane for easy buckets. SU center William Kyle III was sealed off by SMU’s Samet Yigitoglu, creating space within the paint. When the Orange experimented with a lineup of Donnie Freeman at the five, Yigitoglu was limited, but eventually broke through thanks to a few miscommunications and some tired SU defenders.
Even with Kyle in, his 6-foot-9 stature was too short in the zone defense to stop a teardrop shot. At the half, SMU led the rebounding margin by 10 and points in the paint 28-12. As Syracuse missed its first five shots to start the second frame, it had no margin for error inside. It became more apparent as the Mustangs began to hit shots. SMU finished the game with 13 more rebounds than Syracuse, and won the inside battle 38-30 for the icing on the cake.
Slowing Boopie
The engine that runs the Mustangs is Boopie Miller. The fifth-year guard out of Chicago, Illinois, is averaging 19.4 points and 6.6 assists per game. He’s dropped 20 or more points 16 times this season, but dropped just 11 points on 3-for-11 shooting against the Orange last time out.
This time around, Miller dropped a quick eight points while J.J. Starling was on the floor, swiftly knocking down two 3s. When Starling checked out, Syracuse smartly switched to a 2-3 zone with Nate Kingz and Naithan George at the top. Both attacked Miller far beyond the arc, closing down SMU’s offense in the process.
When George came out, Miller found space in the left corner to splash another 3. But Kingz was all over Miller, clapping his hands as he crossed halfcourt as to say, “bring it on.” George did the same on the final possession of the first half, locking arms with him at one point and almost getting into an altercation.
A few minutes into the second half, Miller rattled home a 3 and then splashed another as SMU built a nine-point lead. Starling was in for the first five minutes before subbing out, while Miller padded his totals as the Mustangs raced away with the lead. For the second straight year, Miller ended Syracuse’s season.
Kingz ransom
When the season is on the line, your best players step up. Kingz is not Syracuse’s highest-paid player. He’s also not its most well-known player. But for anyone watching SU’s season from exhibitions to Charlotte knows Kingz has been the Orange’s consistent glue. Against SMU, the Orange spoon-fed Kingz and were rewarded.
He dropped 17 points in the first half, with three 3-pointers, even banking one in from the top of the key to test his luck. It’s unknown what Kingz has against the Mustangs — he even hit the game-winner in the last matchup. But he’s fought his whole life. What was one more day?
Kingz cut into SU’s deficit with a tough turnaround jumper and a putback layup. The Orange continued to feed him in hopes of a miracle. He finished with 18 shot attempts, more than any other game in his Syracuse career.
Kingz certainly wasn’t the reason SU’s year ended. If anything, he stalled it from ending by a few minutes. If Kingz’s NCAA waiver goes through, whoever is running Syracuse would be wise to retain him.
All-around shooting woes
Kingz and Tyler Betsey were comfortable shooting the ball. Almost everyone else wasn’t. The ACC Tournament uses Spalding basketballs, which gave SU trouble last year in Charlotte. Both squads combined for a 20-for-67 shooting day from deep. The Orange were 15-for-33 in the first half and finished 28-for-63.
A key part of Syracuse’s core couldn’t find the bottom of the net. Naithan George began the game 2-for-11. Starling started the game 0-for-5, at one point staring forward with an empty gaze on SU’s bench. Freeman, meanwhile, finished the game 3-for-9.
The Mustangs started the game 3-for-17 from 3, but found a groove in the second half to build some separation. Carried by Miller and Corey Washington, SMU built a lead through efficient shooting. Jaden Toombs didn’t attempt a 3, but was 8-for-14 on the inside to add consistent scoring.
Jaron Pierre Jr. began the game 0-for-8 from 3. However, as he splashed two triples late on back-to-back possessions, they became the daggers on Syracuse’s season and likely the Autry era.
Fitting ending
Autry’s mantra throughout his head coaching career has revolved around fight. It’s been difficult for him to get his squads to follow through on that each game. So, as Syracuse trailed by just one at halftime, a fitting ending emerged.
The Orange lost the second half 47-31, allowing a 12-0 run and losing any momentum from a fairly impressive first frame. SU trailed by as much as 21, and ended up losing by 17. Starling didn’t play the final 15 minutes and Syracuse attempted a run that was far too late.
On the sidelines, with his family in the stands right behind him, Autry looked on. He’d dreamed of this job, to lead his alma mater for much of his adult life. Now, three years to the day that he was introduced as its head coach in a press conference, what was supposed to be a storybook ending for Autry likely took its closing chapter.
