Sat Jan 24 20:20:00 UTC 2026: # Syracuse Basketball Plagued by “Little Things” as NCAA Tournament Hopes Dim

The Story:
Syracuse University’s men’s basketball team suffered a 76-74 loss to Virginia Tech on Wednesday night, marking their second consecutive defeat. Head coach Adrian Autry expressed frustration with the team’s inability to execute fundamental aspects of the game, particularly highlighting a missed rebound by Donnie Freeman in the final seconds. Freeman himself took responsibility for the loss, acknowledging a pattern of missed opportunities and crucial errors that have cost the Orange in recent games.

The loss underscores a season-long trend of Syracuse failing to capitalize on small details, jeopardizing their chances of qualifying for the NCAA Tournament. With mounting losses and increasing fan frustration, Autry faces pressure to turn the program around and meet athletic department expectations of competitive basketball deep into March.

Key Points:

  • Syracuse lost to Virginia Tech 76-74 due to poor second-half offense, turnovers, and shaky shot selection.
  • Coach Autry focused on a missed rebound by Donnie Freeman in the game’s final seconds as a key error.
  • Freeman admitted his mistakes have cost the team the past two games against Boston College and Virginia Tech.
  • Syracuse ranks last in the ACC in turnovers, averaging 14.5 per game in conference play.
  • Fans expressed their frustration during the game, with some briefly chanting “Fire Autry.”
  • Autry’s coaching record at Syracuse is 46-38, with a 21-25 record in the ACC.
  • Syracuse faces teams receiving Associated Press Top 25 votes in its next two games, including Miami on Saturday.

Key Takeaways:

  • Syracuse is struggling with execution of fundamental basketball skills, leading to close losses.
  • Coach Autry is under increasing pressure to improve the team’s performance and secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
  • Player accountability is present, but translating that into on-court improvement is proving difficult.
  • Turnovers are a significant problem hindering Syracuse’s success in ACC play.
  • Fan frustration is growing, potentially impacting the atmosphere surrounding the program.

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