Adrian Autry retires Leonard Hamilton
The Syracuse Orange kept their season alive with a 66-62 win over the Florida State Seminoles in the opening round of the ACC Tournament. Let’s get to the takeaways…
Lampkin is the opener
Syracuse maintained a first half lead thanks to their big man. Eddie Lampkin had 12 first-half points as he found space in and around the basket and FSU defenders. As the broadcast pleaded for the Orange to keep feeding him, Lampkin kept working the glass to create second-chance opportunities for himself. Even though the Seminoles sent more bodies on him in the second half, Lampkin was a big reason why Syracuse out-rebounded the Noles 42-32 on the night.
JJ is the closer
It’s been an up and down season for the junior guard. After a rough start last night, Starling was the only Syracuse player to make a shot in the final 13 minutes of the game. He had issues with free throws (3-8) and turnovers (3), but when the Orange needed someone to make a play, Starling delivered.
Starling scored 11 of his game-high 27 points in the final 7 minutes as he used the Seminoles switching defense to find room to drive to the basket.
Livin’ up to his name pic.twitter.com/4RiLvFYILu
— ACC Men’s Basketball (@accmbb) March 12, 2025
Winning Ugly
2-14 from 3
12-22 from the foul line
Bell, Cuffe, Taylor shoot 0-14 from the field
There was a lot about the game that was ugly, but Syracuse showed a lot more effort and intensity defensively and on the glass. They played like a team that didn’t want to go home and now they get another chance at redemption against SMU. The Orange will need to make some shots to keep pace with a stronger Mustangs offense, but at this time of year, it’s all about surviving and advancing.