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Syracuse returns to the JMA Wireless Dome to face UAlbany following a two-game road trip, which handed it two embarrassing losses. First, the Orange were routed 96-70 by then-No. 3 Tennessee in Knoxville during the SEC/ACC Challenge. Postgame, head coach Adrian Autry declared the product wasn’t up to Syracuse basketball’s standard.

Four days later, in South Bend, Indiana, SU failed to make a 3-pointer in a game for the first time in a decade. Not only was it not Syracuse basketball, but it wasn’t modern basketball. This led to the Orange’s 69-64 loss to Notre Dame in their Atlantic Coast Conference opener.

SU has been without leading scorer J.J. Starling throughout its losing streak, who is out indefinitely with a broken left hand. The Orange will look to snap their skid hosting in-state foe UAlbany. SU is 4-0 at home this season, albeit registering narrow wins over Le Moyne, Colgate, Youngstown State and Cornell.

Here’s everything to know before Syracuse (4-4, 0-1 ACC) hosts UAlbany (6-4, 0-0 America East) on Tuesday:

All-time series

Syracuse leads 8-0.

Last time they played …

The Orange hosted the Great Danes on Nov. 15, 2011. Then-No. 5 Syracuse cruised to a 98-74 victory, beginning the 2011-12 campaign 3-0 en route to a 34-3 campaign. SU was propelled by Kris Joseph (19 points), James Southerland (19) and Baye Keita (14), all scoring in double figures.

UAlbany’s Gerardo Suero (31) and Logan Aronhalt (20) were the game’s highest scorers. Still, the rest of the Great Danes’ roster shot 5-for-17 from the field in a blowout loss.

KenPom Odds

Syracuse has an 85% chance of winning, with a projected score of 83-71.

The Great Danes report

UAlbany is helmed by fourth-year head coach Dwayne Killings, who has failed to lead it over a .500 record since taking over in 2021. The Great Danes were previously coached by Will Brown, who led them to five NCAA Tournaments over his two decades running the program.

But their last March Madness appearance came in 2015, and they haven’t had a winning season since 2017-18. UAlbany is off to a 6-4 start to the year but is yet to face a Power Four team.

Thus far, UAlbany ranks No. 231 on KenPom, with its adjusted offensive efficiency placing No. 213 and its adjusted defensive efficiency ranking No. 242. The Great Danes are led by a committee, as 10 players play 10 or minutes on average. Four players — Byron Joshua (13.6), Justin Neely (11.7), Amar’e Marshall (11.6) and DeMarr Langford Jr. (10.6) — average double-digit points.

How Syracuse beats UAlbany

To get back in the win column against a nonconference, mid-major opponent at home, Syracuse truthfully doesn’t need to do anything crazy to pull out a win. Though from what SU displayed in its first stretch in such games, a key will be getting going early.

If the Orange can break off an early run, they’ll set the stage for what should be a smooth, double-digit win. For this to happen, it’s all about the basics. Make good passes in the halfcourt, take smart shots and try to get going in transition. However, SU has struggled to do much of that for most of the season.

The biggest thing Syracuse needs to get going is its 3-point shooting. Not making a 3 in 2024 is almost a crime against humanity. While SU isn’t bolstered by the greatest shooters, taking just nine shots from behind the arc is unacceptable. It’ll be essential to get Chris Bell and Elijah Moore going from distance, which would open up the interior — where the Orange are at their best.

Stat to know: 352

There are 364 programs in KenPom’s database. Only 11 teams have a worse 3-point percentage than Syracuse’s 26%. As expected, the No. 352 team in 3-point percentage only has one player shooting over 30% (minimum five attempts) from distance — Moore, who is hitting at a 40% clip.

Bell, who drilled 42.0% of his triples last season, has only hit at a 26.8% rate, while SU’s only other player above 25.0% is the injured Starling (29.0%). Transfer guards Jaquan Carlos and Lucas Taylor are converting just 18.2% and 10.0%, respectively. Meanwhile, forwards Donnie Freeman (15.8%) and Jyáre Davis (14.3%) are faring just as poorly.

Player to watch: Byron Joshua, guard, No. 3

Following four seasons at Alcorn State, Joshua transferred to UAlbany ahead of the 2024-25 season. The veteran guard is averaging a career-high 13.6 points per game, which has stemmed from much-improved efficiency. While averaging a then-career-best 11.3 points per game last year, Joshua shot just 34.9% from the field and 23.2% from 3. This year, he’s improved his clips to 45.1% and 35.1%, respectively.

Published on December 9, 2024 at 8:50 pm

Contact Justin: justingirshon@gmail.com | @JustinGirshon