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Syracuse returns to the JMA Wireless Dome to face Cornell following consecutive losses to Texas and Texas Tech in the Legends Classic. The Orange trailed by as many as 16 points early in the second half to UT and nearly overcame their deficit. Though SU took its first lead with four minutes remaining, it couldn’t hold on and fell 70-66 despite its best defensive performance of the season.

A day later against the Red Raiders, SU fought throughout the contest’s 40 minutes. Still, it fell short again, losing 79-74. While back-to-back losses at the Legends Classic brought the Orange’s record to 3-2, they looked vastly improved from their first three games — where they needed two overtimes to defeat Youngstown State and beat Le Moyne and Colgate by a combined six points.

Following two Quad 1 losses, SU faces Cornell before it embarks on two more Quad 1 road games against Tennessee and Notre Dame next week. The Big Red rank No. 187 on KenPom’s rankings and haven’t made the NCAA Tournament since 2010.

Here’s how our beat writers think Syracuse (3-2, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) will fare against Cornell (4-2, 0-0 Ivy League):

Zak Wolf (5-0)
Little Red
Syracuse 82, Cornell 71

Syracuse showed improvements in its trip to Brooklyn, playing two close games against Texas and Texas Tech. I don’t think those performances will translate into a blowout win over Cornell, but it will be enough for a more than comfortable one. The Big Red haven’t shown much consistency this season. After opening the season on a two-game win streak, they’ve split their last four.

Jake Fiegen remains a threat from the outside, averaging 15.5 points on 50% shooting from 3. But if the Orange can hold him quiet, they shouldn’t have much trouble in this one. Outside of Fiegen, Syracuse shouldn’t be concerned with Cornell’s other options offensively.

On the flip side, Syracuse needs to start hitting shots from the outside. The Orange have hit just 25.7% of their 3s this season. Against Cornell, I think we’ll finally see a strong showing from deep. SU knocked down 13 triples in this matchup last season, and we could see much of the same this time around. Expect a breakout game from Chris Bell, who had his best shooting performance against Texas Tech, as the Orange will get back in the win column.

Aiden Stepansky (5-0)
Big Orange
Syracuse 77, Cornell 70

While the Orange exited Barclays without a win, we definitely saw some growth from this group. Two close games against far-advanced opponents showed just a little closer to the team Autry envisioned in Year 2.

SU’s contest with Cornell nears the last of its layup line before a gauntlet of nonconference and ACC play. I have Syracuse getting back in the win column before maybe its biggest loss of the season to Tennessee.

Similar to the Orange’s games against other in-state opponents, Cornell will put up a fight and keep it close down the stretch. However, its defense has been horrific to begin the year, rating as the 281st best in the nation per KenPom. I see Syracuse playing strong offensively throughout the evening and J.J. Starling posting yet another impressive game from mid-range.

Additionally, I think Donnie Freeman gets going, continuing to progress through the first month of the season into what should end up as a strong freshman campaign. It won’t be the Big Red, but rather, the Big Orange cruising into Thanksgiving Day with a seven-point win.

Justin Girshon (5-0)
Back in the win column
Syracuse 83, Cornell 74

Syracuse has had a confusing start to its season. The Orange looked putrid across their first three wins before playing their best basketball across two losses in Brooklyn last week. Now, they return home to face their fourth nonconference mid-major opponent.

Hypothetically, just as the games against Le Moyne, Colgate and Youngstown State were, this should be an easy spot to get SU going before playing Tennessee and Notre Dame on the road. But with what the Orange showed before the Legends Classic, free wins don’t mean they’ll handle business.

Factoring in how much better Syracuse looked against Texas and Texas Tech, I believe this contest won’t come down to a last-second defensive stand or two overtimes. While I still don’t see SU pulling away early and cruising to a blowout win, I see it winning in wire-to-wire fashion while maintaining at least a three-possession lead for most of the game.

Cornell is one of the worst defensive teams in the country, hasn’t shot well from outside and doesn’t possess nearly the same talent as the Orange. Syracuse will take advantage and return to the win column.

Published on November 26, 2024 at 3:52 pm