Syracuse MBB season ends; loses 73-53 to SMU in second round of ACC Tournament.

Syracuse men’s basketball was down three at the half against SMU on Wednesday. However, when SU needed buckets in the second frame, most of its shot attempts clanked off the rim and came right back down.

The Orange shot 8-30 from the field after the break and fell 73-53 to the Mustangs, ending their ACC tournament run in Charlotte.

“I thought SMU did a really good job defensively, “ Adrian Autry said. “They made it tough for us. I thought that was the difference in the game. We couldn’t get the ball inside to Eddie. He’s a big part of what we do.”

“I know what I need to work on, Orange guard JJ Starling said. “It’s going to start now. There’s no break for me. I know where I want to be. I know my goals. It’s not going to get achieved if you’re relaxed about it. I’m just going to take it day by day.”

This was a historically bad year for SU men’s hoops. This was the first four-year run since 1972 that the Orange haven’t made the NCAA Tournament. It was also the worst regular season record since 1969.