Syracuse, N.Y. — The Syracuse basketball team is facing a challenging season under head coach Adrian Autry, as evidenced by their recent 88-68 defeat to N.C. State in Raleigh, marking the first four-game losing streak of Autry’s tenure. With this loss, the Orange’s record drops to 12-9, including a 3-5 record in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
This latest setback was compounded by the performance of former Syracuse guard Quadir Copeland, who, after being dismissed from the team, showcased his skills with 19 points and nine assists against his former teammates. He shared insights on their defensive strategies during the game, stating, “We know when it’s a little guard on me, we can set triggers and get the switches,” emphasizing the advantage that mismatches provided the Wolfpack.
Autry acknowledged Copeland’s prowess, noting his ability to adapt and excel on the court. The game reflected a concerning trend for Syracuse, as they once again struggled in the second half, getting outscored 47-31. N.C. State dominated the boards, finishing with a 45-33 rebound advantage, and also showcased superior ball movement with 21 assists compared to Syracuse’s 10.
Defensively, the Orange have been increasingly vulnerable, allowing an average of 83.2 points in their last five games, drastically higher than the 65.7 points they permitted in the preceding 16 games. This loss to N.C. State marked the second instance this season that Syracuse has surrendered 88 points or more.
Questions arose about coaching decisions, particularly regarding freshman Sadiq White, who remained in the game despite accumulating four fouls. Autry defended his choice, emphasizing that White was one of the few players putting forth significant effort during the match.
With ten games left in the season, Autry is actively searching for answers, even turning to bench players in hopes of reigniting the team’s performance. He stated, “We’re struggling right now…We gotta look at everything. Everything is on the table now.” This candidness about the team’s struggles suggests the pressure is mounting, not just on the players but on Autry as well, especially with a challenging schedule ahead, including formidable opponents like Notre Dame, North Carolina, and Duke.
As the season progresses, the mounting challenges raise further concerns about Syracuse’s chances for an NCAA Tournament berth. If the team does not find a way to turn their fortunes around, discussions regarding Autry’s position as head coach will likely intensify within the Syracuse basketball community.
Syracuse fans still hold out hope that a turnaround is possible, as the team gears up for upcoming matches that could potentially change the course of their season.