Syracuse basketball blows golden opportunity to improve resume vs Duke

Syracuse basketball had its chances, but couldn’t get the job done vs the Duke Blue Devils. Here’s how it all went down in the loud house on Saturday.

Syracuse basketball wanted it, they needed it, but couldn’t get the upset win vs Duke. This was a golden opportunity for the Orange to snag its biggest win of the 2019-20 campaign, but ultimately they fell short.

On Saturday night the Orange led the way throughout the majority of the first half setting the pace with a good strategy and making their buckets.

Although a late rally from the Blue Devils allowed them to take its first lead of the game late and at the half Duke was up 40 to 36.

Despite throwing everything including the kitchen sink the Orange simply couldn’t contain Vernon Carey Jr.

The 6-foot-10, 270-pound center was too much man for anyone on the Syracuse roster. VCJ ended up finishing with 26 points, 17 boards and was incredibly efficient from the field (64 percent).

On the positive side, the Orange offense showed up with four of its five starters finishing in double figures.

While on the defensive side, Syracuse did the No. 1 thing they needed to: create turnovers. Duke finished with 19 miscues and the Orange cashed in those opportunities for some easy buckets in transition.

Despite all the good, Syracuse suffered too many setbacks to pull out the much-needed dub:

• Orange struggled from long range finishing 6-of-26.
• Syracuse lost the battle of the boards: 40-to-34.
• #FreeThrowsMatter: Syracuse got to the foul line a ton, but didn’t convert at a high enough percentage: 28-of-37 (76%) while Duke was 29-of-33 (88 %).

Now the team is on the outside looking in as it pertains to the March Madness conversation. To get back into the good graces of the committee, this team is going to need some quality wins and those opportunities are few and far between in a down ACC in 2019-2020.

Syracuse ended up losing 97 to 88 and now falls to 13-9, 6-5 in the ACC, and are in the midst of a two-game losing streak.

Syracuse basketball will enjoy the next week off before they return to action against Wake Forest. That game will be Saturday, February 8 at 8:00 p.m. in the loud house.