Syracuse Basketball: Quadir Copeland an absolute stud, 'Cuse notches critical ACC win

Syracuse basketball only led fellow Atlantic Coast Conference foe Miami for a couple of minutes during their conference clash on Saturday afternoon in chilly Central New York.

The Hurricanes, meanwhile, held an edge for nearly 29 minutes, despite not having their leading scorer, senior big man Norchad Omier, available due to injury.

Alas, the 'Cuse (excuse me, the "Cardiac 'Cuse"), despite being down for much of this game, kept on fighting, kept on grinding, and didn't throw in the towel. And while the Orange only found itself ahead in this contest for two minutes and 37 seconds, per the official box score, Syracuse basketball was leading on the scoreboard when it mattered the most.

Sophomore guard/wing Quadir Copeland, who has really come on strong in numerous recent games during the 2023-24 season, drilled a long 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the 'Cuse an absolutely huge 72-69 victory over Miami.

Syracuse basketball has won two straight games against solid ACC competition.

A week ago, the Orange was humiliated at then-No. 7 North Carolina. It was the largest-ever defeat for the 'Cuse since joining the ACC from the Big East Conference during the 2013-14 campaign.

No worries. Syracuse basketball has responded quite well. First, this past Tuesday night, the Orange conquered long-time rival Pittsburgh, on the road, by double digits.

Then, on Saturday afternoon at the JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse basketball willed its way to a victory over Miami, a squad that reached the Final Four of the 2023 NCAA Tournament. What's more, the Hurricanes had beaten the 'Cuse on three straight occasions, by a combined eight points and with the Orange blowing several massive leads over Miami.

Frankly, I didn't have a great feeling during Saturday's encounter. Although the Hurricanes never led by more than eight points at the 'Cuse, Miami held an advantage for nearly 75 percent of this meeting. It was the Hurricanes' game for the taking, but Syracuse basketball didn't oblige, thanks to Copeland's heroics, a big-time performance from sophomore guard J.J. Starling and solid performances from multiple other 'Cuse players.

As I noted in another piece on Saturday morning, starting with Miami (12-6, 3-4 in the ACC), Syracuse basketball has three home games in a row, and the Orange (13-5, 4-3 in the ACC) has an opportunity to rack up some triumphs and enter the conversation for a possible invite to the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

So the 'Cuse got past Pittsburgh and the Hurricanes, and now the Orange will have both Florida State and N.C. State on the Hill, where it has yet to lose in 2023-24, followed by a road date with Boston College. Syracuse basketball improves to 21-12 versus Miami in their all-time series, and Saturday afternoon's result looks like a quadrant-two win for the 'Cuse.

The Orange didn't shoot particularly well versus the Hurricanes, but the 'Cuse won the battle on the boards and prevailed in other statistical categories, including assists, turnovers committed, bench points, steals, points off turnovers, second-chance points and fouls committed.

Starling was fabulous, producing a contest-high 22 points. Copeland had the game-winner, and he also contributed 11 points and six rebounds. Sophomore big man Maliq Brown poured in a double-double, with 10 points and 11 boards.

Sophomore forward Chris Bell made four shots from deep and had 12 points. Sophomore point guard Judah Mintz flirted with a triple-double, tallying 10 points, a stellar 13 assists and eight rebounds.

Up next, Syracuse basketball will host Florida State beginning at 7 pm on Tuesday, Jan. 23, with television coverage on ESPN2.

Two quick additional things. I want to give some love to former Orange star Eric Devendorf, who served as the ESPN2 analyst during Saturday afternoon's 'Cuse win, and he was great.

On a somber note, word came out via an article from Mike Waters of Syracuse.com that Liam Zoghby, one of the Syracuse basketball managers, sadly passed away at the age of 22. Orange Nation sends so much love to Liam, his family, friends and loved ones, and to the entire 'Cuse hoops program.