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Syracuse Basketball: Orange shows grit and heart in Duke loss

By Neil Adler

SYRACUSE, NY - FEBRUARY 23: (L-R) Javin DeLaurier #12 of the Duke Blue Devils, Elijah Hughes #33 of the Syracuse Orange and Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils battle for the ball during the second half at the Carrier Dome on February 23, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. Duke defeated Syracuse 75-65. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY - FEBRUARY 23: (L-R) Javin DeLaurier #12 of the Duke Blue Devils, Elijah Hughes #33 of the Syracuse Orange and Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils battle for the ball during the second half at the Carrier Dome on February 23, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. Duke defeated Syracuse 75-65. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) /
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The Syracuse basketball squad fell a bit short versus No. 1 Duke on Saturday, but ‘Cuse Nation came together, and that’s what matters the most.

Given what has transpired over the past few days, it’s difficult to focus on the sport of college basketball itself, because the fragility and preciousness of life have of course taken center stage. Despite an SU community that is grieving and will remain in shock for quite some time, the Orange hoops outfit put forth a valiant effort on Saturday night in Central New York.

Syracuse didn’t beat No. 1 Duke in front of an NCAA record-setting crowd, but the ‘Cuse roster and its heart-broken head coach, Jim Boeheim, shouldn’t feel ashamed whatsoever about the ultimate outcome. Not in the least. That’s because the fact that they competed so well, and Boeheim found himself on the sidelines, should prove more than enough of a win for every SU fan out there.

The Orange (18-9, 9-5) had a slim advantage for most of the first half against the Blue Devils (24-3, 12-2), an extremely talented crew that suited up without its sensational freshman forward, Zion Williamson. Minus him in the line-up, Duke did somewhat struggle before intermission, particularly from downtown, while Syracuse got hot early on from beyond the arc.

However, a five-point edge at the break quickly dissipated, as the ‘Cuse went cold from the field, the charity stripe and long range. The Blue Devils, meanwhile, managed to increase their separation inch by inch, and unfortunately, SU couldn’t claw all the way back.

It’s understandable that the majority of Orange fanatics are bummed that Syracuse didn’t sweep its regular-season series with Duke, and this 10-point setback drops the ‘Cuse into a tie for fifth place in the Atlantic Coast Conference standings. The Blue Devils, on the flip side, stay in a three-way tie for the top spot in the league race, and Duke is well-positioned for a No. 1 seed in the Big Dance.

We all wanted the SU group to notch a triumph over the Blue Devils, to provide Boeheim with a sliver of joy following a tragic and fatal accident involving him on late Wednesday evening. Honoring the victim, Jorge Jimenez, with a beautiful message and a moment of silence inside the Carrier Dome surely brought out a wide range of emotions for the Jimenez family, Boeheim, and his family.

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Upsetting Duke for a second instance would have proven sweet. Yet I, for one, am extremely proud of the Orange basketball program, and the larger Syracuse community. We must continue to hold everyone affected by this truly sad accident in our thoughts and prayers. And as far as the team goes, the ‘Cuse next travels to highly rated North Carolina on Tuesday, with SU likely having to secure one or two more victories to hear its name called on Selection Sunday.

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