Syracuse Basketball: Key takeaways as Orange whiffs from deep, falls at Notre Dame

Syracuse basketball had a rough week on the road.

On Saturday afternoon inside Purcell Pavilion, the Orange hung close with Notre Dame, but the 'Cuse was woeful from deep and had some breakdowns with its perimeter defense in the closing minutes. Notre Dame ended up prevailing, at home, by a final count of 69-64.

It was the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both squads. This outcome snapped a five-contest setback streak for the Fighting Irish (5-5, 1-0 in the ACC). Syracuse basketball (4-4, 0-1 in the ACC) now has lost four of five affairs; last Tuesday night in Knoxville, Tenn., No. 3 Tennessee cruised to a 96-70 victory over the 'Cuse in the second-annual SEC/ACC Challenge.

Unlike its blowout loss at the Volunteers, Saturday afternoon's ACC clash was a much closer game. In fact, the score was 60-60 late, but Notre Dame connected on a pair of critical 3-pointers, and the Orange failed to convert from the field and the free-throw line toward this contest's conclusion.

The Fighting Irish halted its three-game skid to the 'Cuse, although Syracuse basketball still leads the all-time series, 34-23.

Syracuse basketball needs to get back on track.

In the setback to Notre Dame, head coach Adrian Autry played 10 guys. Senior center Naheem McLeod didn't get any run, and junior guard J.J. Starling is out indefinitely with a left-hand injury.

The vast majority of Syracuse basketball players didn't fare well against the Fighting Irish. Leading the Orange charge were freshman power forward Donnie Freeman, senior forward Jyare Davis and senior point guard Jaquan Carlos.

Freeman tallied a double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds. Davis produced 20 points and four boards. Carlos chipped in eight points and seven assists.

As a unit, the 'Cuse made 47 percent from the field, 0 percent (0-of-9) from 3-point land and 67 percent from the charity stripe. The Fighting Irish, conversely, connected on 45 percent from the field, 36 percent (8-of-22) from beyond the arc and 63 percent from the free-throw line.

Syracuse basketball being outscored 24-0 from deep was too much to overcome. In other statistical categories, the Orange led 15-13 in turnovers forced, 19-9 in points off turnovers, 25-15 in bench points, 40-28 in paint points, 5-2 in fast-break points, 5-4 in steals, and 13-7 in assists.

The Fighting Irish held advantages of 34-31 in rebounds, 6-3 in second-chance points, and 4-2 in blocks.

Up next, Syracuse basketball will host fellow Empire State team and America East Conference member Albany on Tuesday, Dec. 10, beginning at 7 pm and airing on ESPN2.