The Syracuse Orange men’s basketball team faced a tough challenge against the No. 3-ranked Houston Cougars, ultimately losing 78-74 in overtime at the Player’s Era Tournament in Las Vegas. Despite being without their star player, Donnie Freeman, Syracuse showed resilience and gave Houston a run for their money.
Milos Uzan and Emanuel Sharp led Houston with impressive 26 points each. For Syracuse, Tyler Betsey stood out from the bench, scoring 16 points. William Kyle contributed a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while the team’s starters also managed double-digit scores.
One major issue for Syracuse was their free-throw shooting. They converted only 12 of 29 attempts, which is just 41%. In comparison, their field goal percentage was better at 43% (27 for 63). This gap in free-throw efficiency proved costly in a close game.
Syracuse initially led by nine in the first half, but Houston responded with an 11-0 run, taking the lead into halftime at 37-34. The second half saw a reversal, with Houston ahead by 11 late in the game. However, Syracuse rallied back with another 11-0 run, tying the game before heading into overtime.
In overtime, Houston managed to pull away, largely thanks to Sharp’s scoring. This game was seen as a chance for Syracuse to enhance their NCAA tournament resume, even though they didn’t come away with a victory.
Defensively, Syracuse did well against Houston, limiting them to 36% shooting. Yet, they struggled on the boards, losing the rebounding battle 49-43. This has been an ongoing challenge, highlighting issues with their defensive identity amidst a transitional phase.
The bench, humorously dubbed “The Juicing Station,” was pivotal in the first half, outscoring Houston’s bench 20-5. Betsey’s three crucial three-pointers helped keep Syracuse competitive, but the contributions waned later in the game, though he did deliver a clutch shot to tie the game.
Adrian Autry, the coach, aimed to use a bigger rotation but had to lean more on his starters in this high-stakes game. Only seven players logged significant minutes, reminiscent of Jim Boeheim’s coaching approach.
Free throws remain a concern. If Syracuse shot even 70% from the charity stripe, it could have added eight points to their score. As of now, they are hitting just 56% on free throws, ranking them last in the nation. This trend has to change if they want to succeed moving forward.
Syracuse displayed growth in this game, reflecting a more competitive spirit than in previous tournaments. While they didn’t secure the win, their performance provides a foundation to build upon as the season continues.
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Syracuse Men’s Basketball
