Syracuse basketball has tremendous performance, halts 4-game skid and wins for Poetry

With the legendary Jim Boeheim in attendance and the program honoring the life and legacy of the late Lawrence Moten, Syracuse basketball's all-time career leading scorer, the Orange turned in a gritty, beautiful performance on Saturday night to halt a four-game skid.

The 'Cuse, buoyed by terrific outings from redshirt senior small forward Nate Kingz and senior shooting guard J.J. Starling, defeated Notre Dame by a final score of 86-72. Hopefully, the Orange (13-9 overall, 4-5 in ACC) can use this victory as a springboard to get on a roll, with Syracuse basketball set to play at No. 16 North Carolina on Monday evening.

Things that have hindered the 'Cuse for much of the 2025-26 season, at least during losses, were put in the rear-view mirror against the Fighting Irish (11-11 overall, 2-7 in ACC), at least temporarily. Syracuse basketball played consistently strong for two halves, the Orange shared the ball well on offense, the squad didn't commit a lot of turnovers and SU connected on a strong clip from deep.

More than anything else, the 'Cuse played with energy and enthusiasm. The bench was engaged. Everyone was, frankly. And SU prevailed over Notre Dame - Starling's former team - on the same night when the Orange honored Poetry. Just wonderful.

Here's how Syracuse basketball knocked off the Fighting Irish.

Kingz was fabulous. He finished with 28 points on 11-of-17 shooting from the field and 5-of-10 from beyond the arc. Starling produced 21 points and five assists with no turnovers. Senior center William Kyle III tallied 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocks.

Sophomore forward Tyler Betsey contributed eight points, and he made two shots from deep. Junior point guard Naithan George was also stellar, with 10 assists and zero - I repeat, zero - turnovers.

Head coach Adrian Autry inserted freshman forward Sadiq White Jr. into the starting line-up, with leading scorer Donnie Freeman, a sophomore power forward, coming off the bench. A 'Cuse spokesperson told me before the game that Freeman was healthy, and that it was a coach's decision for White to start.

After the Orange got crushed at N.C. State earlier this week, Autry praised White for his energy and effort level. In the win over Notre Dame, White had five points and six rebounds. Freeman finished with seven points and six boards.

For the game, Syracuse basketball hit on 57.1 percent from the field, 40.0 percent from 3-point land and 57.1 percent from the free-throw line. The Fighting Irish made 49.1 percent from the field, 27.3 percent from downtown and 70.0 percent from the charity stripe.

The Orange led 34-28 in total rebounds, 6-4 in offensive rebounds, 28-24 in defensive rebounds, 21-11 in assists, 10-6 in turnovers forced, 18-10 in bench points, 4-0 in blocks, 7-3 in steals, 13-5 in points off turnovers and 6-5 in second-chance points.

Notre Dame led 38-36 in paint points. Both teams had nine fast-break points. A win is a win, but the 'Cuse also covered the spread, as Syracuse basketball was a 4.5-point betting favorite and emerged victorious by 14 points.

With Saturday's conquest, the Orange is now 36-23 in its all-time series against the Fighting Irish. I recognize that Notre Dame isn't a high-quality foe this season, but still, I'm proud of my alma mater for this performance in the midst of some turbulent times. Love you, Poetry. #DMV