It was a tale of two halves when Syracuse faced off against Duke at the JMA Wireless Dome, with Duke ultimately taking the win 83-54.
Duke came out strong in the second half, while Syracuse struggled to find their rhythm on offense.
The Syracuse vs. Duke game saw Eddie Lampkin Jr. reaching a career milestone of 1,000 points, Cooper Flagg playing a key role for Duke, and Maliq Brown making a significant impact on Duke’s defense.
Duke’s Dominance: A Breakdown of the Blue Devils’ Victory
The Duke Blue Devils demonstrated a commanding performance against Syracuse, securing a decisive win. Here’s how they did it:
Second-Half Surge
Duke came out strong in the second half, maintaining a 15+ point lead and outscoring Syracuse by a significant margin. The Blue Devils shot .566 from the field and .391 from beyond the arc, while keeping turnovers to a minimum (only 6).
Cooper Flagg’s Contribution
Freshman Cooper Flagg made his presence known, contributing 11 points, 2 blocks, and 2 assists. Coach Scheyer noted Flagg’s unselfishness, saying, “Sometimes I get mad at Coop because … when he gets some separation he wants everybody else to step up… that’s part of what makes him special.”
Maliq Brown’s Defensive Prowess
Maliq Brown, a transfer player, has proven to be a valuable asset to Duke’s defense and rebounding efforts. Brown pulled down 8 rebounds and had 3 steals. Coach Scheyer praised Brown as the “ultimate teammate” and “incredibly unselfish.”
Syracuse’s Struggles: Offensive Inconsistencies and Defensive Gaps
The Syracuse Orange men’s basketball team had a rough outing against Duke, with struggles on both sides of the court.
Offensive Difficulties
Syracuse just couldn’t seem to find the basket, shooting a dismal 38.3% from the field and only 26.1% from beyond the arc. They also turned the ball over 14 times, giving Duke extra possessions.
After the game, Coach Autry noted that the team “settled” for some shots, and when they did manage to get inside, they “didn’t finish.” He attributed some of this to Duke’s strong defense.
Key Syracuse Player Performances
There were a few bright spots for the Orange. Jyare Davis scored 12 points, hitting 6 of his 8 shots. Naheem McLeod was also efficient, scoring 10 points on 4-of-4 shooting.
However, even some of the better performers acknowledged the team’s struggles. JJ Starling commented on his own lack of free throws, saying, “I guess we can contribute that to settling… I don’t shoot a lot of free throws. I don’t know if that’s just me avoiding contact or I’m just not getting calls.” This suggests a possible lack of aggressiveness in attacking the basket.
Lampkin’s Milestone and Other Key Game Details
The Syracuse-Duke game featured a notable milestone for one player, along with other details that help tell the story of the contest.
Eddie Lampkin Jr.’s 1,000 Career Points
Syracuse center Eddie Lampkin Jr. scored his 1,000th career point during the game. He came into the contest just one point shy of the milestone.
Bench Performance Comparison
Duke’s bench outscored Syracuse’s bench, 28-23.
Attendance and Context
A crowd of 23,313 watched the game in person.
With the win, Duke improved its record to 20-2 overall and a perfect 12-0 in the ACC. Syracuse fell to 10-13 overall and 4-8 in ACC play, making it more difficult for them to make the NCAA tournament.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Duke’s biggest rival?
That’s an easy one! Duke’s undisputed biggest rival is the University of North Carolina (UNC). The Duke-UNC rivalry is one of the most intense and storied rivalries in all of college basketball, if not all of sports. Games between the two teams are always must-watch events.
How many times has Syracuse beaten Duke?
As of February 22, 2024, Duke leads the all-time series against Syracuse with 17 wins to Syracuse’s 6. The series has been dominated by Duke, particularly in recent years, though Syracuse can always be a tricky opponent.
Did Duke beat Syracuse by the score of 83-54 on Wednesday night?
No, Duke did not beat Syracuse by that score on Wednesday night. On February 21, 2024, Syracuse beat Duke 79-59 at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, New York.
What college basketball game went to 6 overtimes?
The longest game in college basketball history, with a whopping six overtimes, was between Cincinnati and Bradley on February 21, 1981. Cincinnati won the marathon match-up with a final score of 75-73. Now that’s a game for the ages!
Key Takeaways
Last night’s Syracuse vs. Duke game was a decisive victory for the Blue Devils, and a tough night for the Orange. Duke dominated on both ends of the court, while Syracuse struggled to find consistent offense. Players like Flagg and Brown made a huge impact for Duke, showcasing their talent and contributing to the team’s overall success.
Syracuse will look to bounce back on Saturday when they face Boston College. After the game, Coach Autry acknowledged Duke’s strength, suggesting that “The Blue Devils may very well be the best team in the country.”
This game solidified Duke’s position as a top contender, while highlighting the need for Syracuse to address their offensive inconsistencies moving forward.