In an electrifying matchup that sent shockwaves through the college basketball landscape, the Syracuse Orange orchestrated a stunning 86-79 victory over the seventh-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels. This remarkable win marks Syracuse's eighth upset of the season, a testament to their resilience and tactical ingenuity on the court.
Just a month prior, Syracuse had faced a discouraging defeat against UNC, making this victory not just an upset, but a pronounced statement of their progress and determination. Showcasing an exceptional display of skill, the Orange shot an impressive 62.5% from the field and 47.1% from beyond the arc, a shooting performance that became the cornerstone of their victory.
The offensive prowess of Syracuse was on full display as four starters reached double figures in scoring. Judah Mintz led the charge with a dazzling performance, scoring 25 points along with securing five rebounds, four assists, and three steals. JJ Starling also made a significant impact, contributing 23 points, three rebounds, and exhibiting exceptional accuracy by going 9-of-15 from the floor and 3-of-6 from deep.
North Carolina's Valiant Effort
Despite the loss, North Carolina showcased its depth and talent. RJ Davis emerged as a leading scorer for the Tar Heels, putting up 19 points, while Cormac Ryan added 18 points and three assists. Armando Bacot and Harrison Ingram also made notable contributions, each scoring 14 points and achieving double-doubles, highlighting their all-round capabilities on the court.
However, the Tar Heels' overall shooting percentage stood at 47.5%, and despite a solid 44.4% from three-point range, their effort was overshadowed by Syracuse's exceptional shooting night. Furthermore, North Carolina's 11 turnovers proved to be costly, highlighting a facet of the game that they struggled with against Syracuse's defense.
A key component of Syracuse's game plan was their defensive strategy, which not only forced turnovers but also limited North Carolina to 44 points in the second half. The rebounding battle was also won by Syracuse, who outrebounded North Carolina 30-23, showcasing their dominance on both ends of the floor.
A Notable Victory
The excitement of the win culminated in Syracuse fans storming the court at the JMA Dome, celebrating a victory that signified coach Adrian Autry’s first signature win for Syracuse. This victory not only highlighted Syracuse’s capability to compete at a high level but also set a season-high shooting percentage of 62.5%.
The significance of this win cannot be understated as Syracuse's last victory against a top-10 team dates back to their game against then-No. 1 Duke in 2019. This upset against North Carolina will likely fuel discussions about Syracuse's potential inclusion in the top 25 and could serve as a pivotal moment for its NCAA tournament aspirations.
For North Carolina, this loss adds to a troubling pattern of three losses in their last five games, which could have implications for their NCAA tournament seeding. The tightly contested Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) has proven that on any given night, any team can emerge victorious, a fact that Tuesday's game underscored with unequivocal clarity.
Reflecting on the game, North Carolina's coach Hubert Davis expressed disappointment and highlighted the need for improvement, stating, "We didn't play well enough to win, we've just got to get better. They shot 63% from the field. Very few teams in the country you can beat especially on the road when they shoot that well."
On the other hand, Syracuse's coach Adrian Autry was effusive in his praise for his team's performance, describing it as "the best game I've seen that we've played all year."
As Syracuse now sets its sights on the upcoming game against Clemson, the victory over North Carolina not only showcases their potential for a deep run in March Madness but also reaffirms the unpredictable nature of college basketball. The ACC remains a battleground where tenacity, skill, and strategy converge to create moments of sheer unpredictability and excitement.