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Adrian Autry returned to the away locker room at Capital One Arena (D.C.) and started dancing. Judah Mintz, a Maryland native, scored 25 points in his homecoming. J.J. Starling added a season-high 21. Quadir Copeland registered a career-best 14.

Everything went right for Syracuse in its 80-68 victory over once-Big East rivals Georgetown on Dec. 9. SU won the 99th all-time meeting between both sides by outscoring the Hoyas 20-2 in fast break points and holding them to a lowly 19.2% clip from 3.

Following the win, the Orange enjoy an eight-day break before taking on Oregon in Sioux Falls, SD Sunday. The Ducks have strung together a three-game win streak after suffering consecutive losses against Santa Clara and Alabama in late-November.

Here’s what our beat writers think will unfold during Syracuse’s (7-3, 0-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) neutral site matchup with Oregon (7-2, 0-0 Pacific-12 Conference):

Cole Bambini (9-1)
Sioux Falls showdown
Syracuse 76, Oregon 75

Coming off a convincing win down the stretch against rival Georgetown, Syracuse has the chance to pull off a resume-building win in its penultimate nonconference matchup. Mintz and Starling have fueled the Orange offensively, combining for 46 of SU’s 80 points against the Hoyas. The backcourt duo will need to be on full display again versus Oregon.

The Ducks sit in the top third of both adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency, per KenPom. Averaging 80.2 points per game, the Ducks will be a test for the Orange. But, I think they can make this game close due to its neutral location and matchup against a team that is lower-caliber than the programs Syracuse faced in Hawaii.

Copeland played a pivotal role against Georgetown and other bench players like Maliq Brown will need to show up defensively to keep the game tight. This game will come down to who can play the best down the stretch and stay out of foul trouble.

Henry O’Brien (10-0)
Ducks go Orange hunting
Oregon 75, Syracuse 72

Against Georgetown, Syracuse showed it has a winning formula that relies on Mintz and Starling. And with bench players like Brown and Copeland providing valuable minutes, SU will play Dana Altman’s squad tight.

But Oregon is one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the country. Starters like Jackson Shelstad and Jadrian Tracey both shoot 40% or higher and will be a headache for Autry’s defense. The Ducks also have the 46th-best effective field goal percentage in the country and rarely turn the ball over with a 15.2 turnover rate — 58th-best in the nation.

Meanwhile, the Orange have shown that their 3-point shooting is spotty. Yes, Mintz has become an efficient 3-point shooter. But Chris Bell, Justin Taylor and Starling have never shown the consistency to make tough shots from beyond the arc. SU will make it a close contest, but I see the Ducks eeking out a win in South Dakota by being the more efficient offense.

Tyler Schiff (9-1)
Start stringing ‘em together
Syracuse 73, Oregon 70

Syracuse’s win over Georgetown provided glimpses of its sky-high ceiling. Mintz and Starling excelled offensively and Copeland’s double-digit scoring was partnered with a surprise feature from Mounir Hima, who played impressive minutes. Defensively, SU’s guards contained Hoyas star Jayden Epps, holding him to 17 points.

But facing Oregon is a far greater test than any of SU’s seven victories so far. It’s a test which rivals those previously presented by top 25 teams Tennessee, Gonzaga and Virginia. Led by senior guard Jermaine Couisnard — a prolific three-level scorer — the Ducks also boast promising, talented freshmen presences Kwame Evans and Shelstad.

Now on a two-game winning streak, Syracuse has an opportunity to match its season-best of three in a row. Mintz and Starling will likely have their way offensively. And with early injuries dealt to Oregon’s N’Faly Dante and Nate Bittle, SU should control the paint. Though Autry mentioned Naheem McLeod’s limited play time at D.C. was a product of “an irritated foot at the end of the half,” he, Brown and Hima should dominate.

Published on December 13, 2023 at 9:52 pm