Syracuse Faces SMU in Tense ACC Tournament Matchup Tonight

Charlotte, N.C. — The Syracuse Orange will take on the SMU Mustangs at 9:30 p.m. tonight in the second round of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) tournament at the Spectrum Center. This matchup follows a nail-biting regular season game last week, where SMU edged Syracuse 77-75.

Syracuse enters tonight’s contest as a 14-seed team with a season record of 14-18, while SMU comes in as the 6-seed with a record of 22-9. The Orange are looking to build on their recent momentum after winning against Florida State 66-62 in the first round. JJ Starling and Eddie Lampkin are expected to lead Syracuse, while the Mustangs are under the guidance of head coach Andy Enfield.

In their last encounter, Syracuse squandered a 12-point lead in the second half, allowing SMU to secure their late-game victory. Starling, who struggled with shooting in that matchup, is projected to deliver a better performance tonight as Syracuse seeks redemption. “This is a get-back game for us,” Starling said. “We let one slip away last time.”

The Orange’s ability to limit their turnovers and maintain control of the boards will be crucial as they face a higher-seeded opponent. Syracuse out-rebounded Florida State 42-32 in their last game, which contributed to their victory. In the previous contest against SMU, they were less effective, leading to the heartbreaking defeat.

The Mustangs, however, enter the game with a record of 22-8 and are led by prominent players like Boopie Miller and Eddy Lampkin. Despite losing four of their last seven games, SMU secured a vital win over Syracuse earlier this month, highlighting their competitive edge.

Analysts are divided on the outcome of the matchup. Reporter Mike predicted an SMU victory with a score of 80-68, citing desperation for a tournament run as a driving force. Meanwhile, another reporter, Kevin, believes that Syracuse will keep it close, favoring a 83-76 scoreline in favor of the Mustangs. “Expect a lot of double and triple teams when Lampkin gets the ball,” he warned. “If Syracuse can’t make outside shots, their season is likely ending here.”

Viewers can catch the game live on ESPNU, as the Orange aim to secure their first three-game winning streak of the season. The action picks up at 9:30 p.m. ET, and fans are anticipating a thrilling encounter as Syracuse has shown glimpses of a new level of play in recent games.