The Syracuse Orange men’s basketball team put on a dominant display against the NC State Wolfpack, claiming victory with a score of 74-60 on Wednesday night at the JMA Wireless Dome. This victory marked Syracuse's sixth win of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) season, improving their record to 12-16 overall and 6-11 within the conference.
The Orange, who were aiming to bounce back from a three-game losing streak, came out strong and never trailed during the contest. This win was particularly significant for Syracuse as it came against the backdrop of their recent struggles, which included notable losses to teams such as UNC, Pitt, and league-worst Miami.
The matchup also had considerable stakes for both teams as they fought for potential qualification for the ACC tournament. Syracuse had previously been eliminated by NC State from the tournament last season, so the atmosphere was ripe with competitive tension.
Graduate center Eddie Lampkin Jr. shone brightly during the game, recording his 12th double-double of the season with 14 points and 15 rebounds. Lampkin’s ability to dominate the paint proved pivotal, allowing the Orange to capitalize on their size advantage. He tied Rakeem Christmas for the most double-doubles by a Syracuse player since the 2014-15 season, showcasing his impactful presence this season.
Syracuse's offensive strategy varied effectively, but they thrived particularly on their ability to score inside. The Orange finished with 46 points in the paint compared to NC State's meager 22, underscoring their physical dominance. Lampkin, along with senior Jyare Davis—who added 15 points and seven rebounds—established a formidable inside presence reminiscent of the Orange's historical strengths.
Junior guard J.J. Starling was another standout, leading the team with 17 points, 15 of which came in the second half as he found his rhythm after a quiet start. Starling's resurgence played a significant role, especially during crunch time when NC State managed to cut the deficit to single digits. His back-to-back baskets helped Syracuse restore their double-digit lead.
"To start the game, it was just all about being aggressive on offense and getting out early," said Lampkin post-game. "Once we established our game plan inside, we just kept pushing the lead." This aggressive approach was evident as the Orange jumped to a quick 13-3 lead within the first five minutes.
Despite their sluggish start, NC State attempted to rally late. The Wolfpack, buoyed by senior Dontrez Styles, who scored all of his 17 points during the second half, narrowed the gap to eight points at one point. Styles, who had recently combined for 46 points in NC State’s previous win against Wake Forest, struggled initially but found his footing as the game progressed.
"It’s frustrating to come so close yet not get the win, especially when we had chances to cut the lead down," Styles commented after the game. "We just have to learn from this and keep pushing forward." Though Styles led his team, the Wolfpack's first-half performance, which saw them shooting just 30% from the field, significantly hindered their chances.
The first half ended with the Orange leading 38-25 after another string of scoring runs, propelled by their effective shooting—returning 58.3% on the night. The Wolfpack's struggle to maintain possession was evident, as NC State finished the game with only seven assists compared to Syracuse’s cohesive playmaking.
Syracuse's strategy was also to exploit NC State’s foul troubles. The Wolfpack's senior center Ben Middlebrooks found himself saddled with foul issues early, limiting his effectiveness on both ends and allowing the Orange to seize momentum.
Head coach Adrian Autry’s decision to rotate players effectively paid off, as the bench contributed significantly without missing a beat. Players like Jaquan Carlos and junior forward Chris Bell provided quality minutes, with Carlos scoring eight points and Bell adding seven.
Notably, the performance marked just the latest disappointment for NC State head coach Kevin Keatts, who has faced challenges guiding his team after failing to secure their first road or neutral court win all season. The loss also dropped NC State’s ACC standings, leaving them at 11-17 overall and 4-13 within the league.
With just three games remaining, NC State now faces pressure to win out if they want to keep hopes alive for qualifying for the conference tournament, which is no easy task as they head on the road once more.
The Syracuse Orange, buoyed by their victory, will next take on Virginia Tech on Saturday. This game is set to be pivotal as they aim to secure another win to maintain tournament eligibility.
This matchup against NC State not only ended Syracuse's losing streak but also ignited hopes for their final stretch of games, with aspirations firmly set on making the ACC tournament. Fans are encouraged to follow the team's progress and support as they navigate through their remaining schedule and vie for postseason opportunities.