Second-ranked Duke imposed its will on Syracuse basketball at the JMA Wireless Dome on Wednesday night.
Playing before more than 23,000 fans - the Orange program said in a post on X that it is the "largest attendance in the country this season" - the 'Cuse hung around with the red-hot Blue Devils for a little bit. But not too long.
Coming off a solid road win at California over the weekend, I had hoped that Syracuse basketball would play well against Duke, even if the Orange was unlikely to prevail. Yet the Blue Devils showed why they are a significant contender to win the 2025 NCAA Tournament, with a spirited performance on the defensive end, in particular.
Largest attendance in the country this season 🍊🧡 pic.twitter.com/kTxCD0NkIy
— Syracuse Men’s Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) February 6, 2025
Even though Duke was a sizable betting favorite entering this Atlantic Coast Conference clash, the Blue Devils still managed to beat the spread, crushing the 'Cuse on the road by a final count of 83-54.
Final from the Dome: No. 2 Duke crushes Syracuse, 83-54. Up next, the Orange (10-13, 4-8 in the ACC) will host Boston College this Saturday afternoon. Thoughts on tonight's game (dare I ask)?
— InsideTheLoudHouse (@LoudHouseFS) February 6, 2025
Duke (20-2, 12-0 in the ACC) has captured 16 straight victories in the 2024-25 season and has now defeated Syracuse basketball on 10 consecutive occasions. The Orange (10-13, 4-8 in the ACC), by extension, remains winless in quadrant-one games this term.
Up next, the 'Cuse will host long-time rival Boston College this Saturday, Feb. 8, beginning at 3:15 pm and with television coverage on The CW Network.
Syracuse basketball was no match for No. 2 Duke on the Hill.
The Blue Devils shot nearly 57 percent from the field while holding the Orange to 38 percent. Syracuse basketball players, time after time, took tough, highly contested shots. Duke made three more shots from 3-point land and scored 12 more points at the charity stripe.
While the 'Cuse held a 33-32 edge on the glass, the Blue Devils led 18-11 in assists, 14-6 in turnovers forced, 28-23 in bench points, 6-2 in fast-break points, 12-4 in steals, 23-7 in points off turnovers, and 38-32 in paint points.
Former Syracuse basketball player Maliq Brown, now a junior power forward at Duke, had six points, eight rebounds, one assist, one block and three steals.
For the Orange, junior guard J.J. Starling and senior forward Jyare Davis each had 12 points. Senior center Naheem McLeod chipped in a season-high 10 points, while junior small forward Chris Bell added nine points.
Syracuse basketball freshman power forward Donnie Freeman, who has an injured right foot, missed his ninth contest in a row when he didn't suit up against the Blue Devils.