On Senior Day, Syracuse basketball completely choked, embarrassed itself

Those who know me well know that, by and large, I am unbelievably optimistic when it comes to my beloved Syracuse basketball program.

I’m a proud Syracuse University alum, and I’ve adored Orange hoops for nearly 30 years. What’s more, even though the ‘Cuse has slogged its way through the 2021-22 campaign, teetering around the .500 mark for a good portion of this term, I’ve passionately defended Orange players for working their tails off and staying close with many of their foes, despite the losses that have piled up.

However, on Saturday afternoon, as Syracuse basketball honored its seniors and graduate students on Senior Day, the ‘Cuse put forth an absolute choke job.

Just as the team had blown an 18-point lead to Miami earlier in 2021-22 and fallen on the road to the Hurricanes by one point, the Orange did the exact same thing on Saturday afternoon, except this time around, the ‘Cuse lost by three points, 75-72.

Syracuse basketball will now prepare for the ACC Tournament.

The Orange’s setback to Miami on the Hill is a perfect illustration of the woes experienced by the ‘Cuse in 2021-22. This squad hangs close with many of its opponents, but Syracuse basketball is often abysmal at closing these tight encounters out.

So here we were, inside the Carrier Dome, and the Orange (15-16, 9-11) was playing at a solid level, despite a really short bench due to the absences of junior center Jesse Edwards, junior guard Symir Torrence and freshman forward Benny Williams.

Senior shooting guard Buddy Boeheim, who I believe is going to win the Atlantic Coast Conference’s scoring title in 2021-22, was shooting the ball well, and Syracuse basketball got up by as many as 18 points.

Fast-forward to the final minute, and even though Miami had roared back, the ‘Cuse still led by seven points, 72-65, with about a minute to go. The problem is that Syracuse basketball committed multiple awful turnovers, and the Hurricanes (22-9, 14-6) went on a 10-0 run to close this ACC clash out.

Immediately after this affair ended, with the Orange embarrassing itself at home, a lot of my fellow ‘Cuse fans absolutely shredded head coach Jim Boeheim on social media.

But is this loss on Coach B? Was he the one who turned the ball over several times in the final minute, took and missed bad shots, or didn’t secure critical rebounds toward this duel’s ending? I don’t believe that he was.

Now, Torrence could have helped break an effective Miami full-court press near the game’s conclusion. If I may, though, and you all know I love our boys in Orange.

This loss is completely on the players who were on the court. Not the coaches. Not the guys who were injured and couldn’t play. All the ‘Cuse had to do was in-bound the ball correctly once or twice more, and a victory is there for Syracuse basketball.

Instead, the Orange did what it has done on numerous occasions all season long. Blow a big lead and fail to close out a tight game. Syracuse basketball is slated to next play Florida State on Wednesday, March 9, at the 2022 ACC Tournament in Brooklyn, N.Y.