Syracuse Orange Falls to Texas Longhorns in Legends Classic Opener

The Syracuse men’s basketball team, holding a season record of 3-1, suffered its first defeat in the 2024-25 season at the hands of the Texas Longhorns during the Legends Classic tournament. The game, held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, saw the Orange rally from a troubling start but ultimately stumble late in the game, leaving the court chaired by notable spectators Carmelo and Kiyan Anthony.

In a hard-fought contest, JJ Starling was a key performer for Syracuse, leading the team with 16 points, along with securing 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Eddie Lampkin also made significant contributions with 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists. Additional support came from Jyare Davis, who scored 11 points and grabbed 7 rebounds, while Chris Bell added another 11 points.

Texas established an early dominance, securing a 9-0 lead as Syracuse coach Adrian Autry decided to switch from a man-to-man defense to a 2-3 zone for the first time this season. Making his season debut was Naheem McLeod, stepping in as part of the defensive strategy change.

The Longhorns capitalized on their early lead, concluding the first half ahead at 41-30. Despite Syracuse’s commendable effort in clawing back into the game during the second half, driven by the performances of Starling and Lampkin, the team struggled defensively and could not consistently avert fouls, which ultimately proved costly.

Syracuse encountered substantial challenges in defense, as evidenced by Texas’s early 9-0 surge. The initial response from Autry, a shift to the 2-3 zone with McLeod anchoring the center, saw some initial success. Nonetheless, Texas soon unraveled the zone defense, resulting in a challenging first half where the Longhorns executed an impressive 17-28 shooting display.

The second half saw the Orange enforce a stronger defensive stance, bolstered by effective communication and tighter contesting of shots. This effort resulted in Texas shooting a lesser 10-30 from the floor. However, Texas managed precise execution in clutch moments, notably through crucial field goals and resilient free throw shooting, especially by the freshman Johnson.

Despite appearing outpaced in the first half, with Texas holding a substantial lead early in the second half, Syracuse exhibited resilience. A spirited comeback led by Starling and Lampkin culminated in a 14-2 run, energizing the team and its supporters. The game reached a tie at 56 points with just over six minutes remaining, briefly seeing Syracuse take a lead.

In the final moments, Syracuse’s efforts were thwarted as they failed to secure the necessary stops and conversions needed to seal victory. While moral victories are not the ultimate goal, the determination shown against a formidable Texas squad heralds potential for further growth in the season.

Brent Axe, a noticeable voice in the basketball community, highlighted the disparity in free throw performance as a critical difference in the game’s outcome. Syracuse’s inability to capitalize on free throw opportunities, finishing with a 9-18 record, contrasted sharply with Texas’s efficiency from the line, completing 12 of 14 attempts. Notably, Texas’ Johnson made six consecutive free throws during the game’s closing stages, effectively keeping Syracuse at bay and preserving the Longhorns’ victory.