Syracuse basketball is struggling, and Saturday’s 91-84 loss to Miami was no exception. The Orange defense failed to stop the Hurricanes with consistency, trailing for over 35 minutes without leading in their home game.
One notable moment came when Kyle Cuffe Jr. attempted a 3-pointer with just 28 seconds remaining, showcasing his limited playtime and shooting efficiency throughout the season. J.J. Starling had a tale of two halves, scoring 20 points in the second half after only tallying two fouls in the first half.
The team’s big men also contributed positively, particularly Naheem McLeod and Petar Majstorovic. Despite struggling on the perimeter, the bench unit found success with solid minutes from both players. The Orange shot a respectable 90.9% from the free throw line, led by Starling’s 10-of-10 effort.
Syracuse faces several challenges as they continue to navigate their season. With five former Syracuse players having varying success in their new teams, the team must find a way to coalesce and develop its identity. The Orange will look to bounce back from this loss and address these issues moving forward.
Source: https://syracuse.rivals.com/news/5-observations-from-syracuse-s-88-82-loss-to-north-carolina