Syracuse, N.Y. – The Syracuse Orange showcased a strong performance on Saturday, clinching an 86-72 victory over Notre Dame. A key element behind this win was the team’s impressive ball movement, as they assisted on 21 of their 32 baskets.
This season, Syracuse has reached 20 assists in a game on three occasions—specifically against Binghamton, Florida State, and Notre Dame—and they emerged victorious in each of those contests. The team effectively minimized excessive dribbling, which has been a hurdle for them at times, instead focusing on crisp cuts and setting screens, allowing for quicker ball distribution.
“It was a focal point in practice all week leading up to this game,” said SU forward Sadiq White. “We’re going to move the ball, we’re going to screen bodies, we’re going to hit people.” Coach Adrian Autry echoed this sentiment, praising players like Nait George and JJ for setting an energetic tone during the game. “The pace, the cuts, everything was really good [Saturday]. It’s the first time we moved like that in a while,” he shared.
In stark contrast to their recent struggles—averaging just 11 assists during a four-game losing streak—Syracuse shot an impressive 32-of-56 (57.1%) against the Fighting Irish, including 10-of-25 (40%) from beyond the arc. The presence of both Nate Kingz and Tyler Betsey on the court simultaneously significantly contributed to their performance, as their 3-point shooting capabilities fostered opportunities for drives to the basket.
Although Notre Dame is not known for its strong defense, being in the middle of the pack in the ACC regarding field goal percentage allowed, Syracuse’s performance was bolstered by George’s standout performance. The point guard recorded 10 assists with no turnovers over nearly 30 minutes, effectively executing plays against the Irish defense. “They hedge, so they put two on the ball and I just hit the short roll, and our guys could make plays out of there,” George explained.
George’s ability to control the game pleased his teammates, with big man William Kyle expressing satisfaction with George hitting the assist target he set. Moreover, Syracuse’s turnover count was impressively low, with only six turnovers committed, leading to 13 points from 10 forced Notre Dame turnovers.
The Orange will take on North Carolina in Chapel Hill tonight, facing off against a strong offensive side that includes standout Caleb Wilson and the towering 7-footer Henri Veesaar. While UNC holds a formidable offensive average of 85.5 points per game, their defensive statistics show vulnerabilities, ranking last in the league for defending the 3-point line. This presents an opportunity for Syracuse to capitalize on their recent momentum and efficient ball movement.
Coach Autry is optimistic, emphasizing the need to replicate Saturday’s ball movement against the Tar Heels: “This is what we’ve envisioned. We have to do it more.” With their spirits lifted from a solid performance against Notre Dame, the Orange have a chance to continue improving as they face this challenging matchup.