In win over FSU, Syracuse basketball defense took back seat, but offense was balling

For much of Syracuse basketball's 2025-26 campaign, the team's defense has been its calling card, a pleasant surprise given how porous the Orange's defense proved last season.

Over the past three Atlantic Coast Conference games, all wins for the 'Cuse, the squad has seen its defense take a slight dip, yet the Orange's offense has really upped its game.

Syracuse basketball doesn't want to get away from its defensive prowess in 2025-26, if it wants to hear its name called on Selection Sunday for the first occasion since 2021. At the same time, with sophomore power forward Donnie Freeman back and playing at an ultra-high level, the 'Cuse offense has clearly got a jolt, and that bodes well for the team's prospects moving forward.

On Tuesday night at the JMA Wireless Dome, with new SU two-sport standout Calvin Russell III dressed for his first game with Syracuse basketball, the Orange got a considerable challenge from a Florida State crew that had struggled for much of 2025-26.

Credit the Seminoles (7-10 overall, 0-4 in the ACC) for playing with a lot of energy and a sense of urgency. In the end, though, the 'Cuse held on for a 94-86 triumph in an immensely exciting encounter on the Hill. Syracuse basketball moves to 12-8 in its all-time series with FSU.

Next up, the Orange (12-5 overall, 3-1 in the ACC) will travel to long-time foe Boston College this Saturday afternoon, with the tip-off scheduled for 2:00 pm EST and television coverage on the ACC Network.

Top performances and key statistics as Syracuse basketball escapes Florida State at home.

Once again, Freeman led the 'Cuse charge. He had 25 points and eight rebounds while shooting 9-of-12 from the field. If he keeps this up, he will be in the conversation as a first or second-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Sophomore forward Tyler Betsey may be a streaky shooter, but when he's on, he's on. He went 6-of-8 from beyond the arc on Tuesday evening, finishing with 18 points. Senior center William Kyle lll did his usual thing, going for 11 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.

Senior shooting guard J.J. Starling has been on fire the past two games. Against FSU, he scored 15 points on 7-of-10 from the field. His combined shooting in the wins over Florida State and at Pittsburgh last Saturday is 14-of-21. That's absurd.

This brings us to junior point guard Naithan George, who has been up and down of late. He's a good player, don't get me wrong, but he also is turnover-prone sometimes. In the conquest of the Seminoles, he registered eight points, 13 assists, four rebounds, two steals and four turnovers.

The Orange has really hit its stride shooting the ball over the past few affairs. Against the Seminoles, the 'Cuse made 59.7 percent from the field and 40.7 percent from beyond the arc, but just 60.0 percent from the free-throw line. Florida State was 45.2 percent from the field, 37.0 percent from 3-point land and 74.1 percent from the charity stripe.

In various statistical categories, FSU led 21-9 in second-chance points, 39-29 in bench points and 15-11 in offensive rebounds. Syracuse basketball, conversely, led 25-14 in points off turnovers, 46-36 in paint points, 24-9 in fast-break points, 34-33 in total rebounds, 7-2 in blocks, 9-8 in steals and 22-12 in assists (!!!).

Both teams committed 14 turnovers. With this outcome, the Orange climbed to No. 65 overall in the NCAA NET rankings, while the 'Cuse is No. 60 nationally via KenPom.