Syracuse Basketball: Key takeaways as ‘Cuse sneaks by Le Moyne in season opener

The 2024-25 season opener for Syracuse basketball was a nail-bitter for sure, and I assume that wasn’t expected by the Orange fan base.

Nearby Le Moyne, in just its second year as a Division I program, had the ‘Cuse on the ropes at the JMA Wireless Dome on Monday evening, but Syracuse basketball was able to come away with an 86-82 triumph.

Naturally, such a close outcome is likely to give some Orange fans cause for concern, although in my book, a win is a win. Plus, the team’s 12 scholarship players in 2024-25 include four college transfers and three incoming freshmen, so it’s understandable if the ‘Cuse needs a bit of time to play together more cohesively.

Credit the Dolphins (0-1), a member of the Northeast Conference (“NEC”), for putting up one heck of a fight on the Hill. Le Moyne led by five points at the intermission, and it built an eight-point advantage early in the second half.

However, led by junior forward Chris Bell and senior forward Jyare Davis, a four-star transfer from Delaware, the Orange (1-0) was able to claw its way back into this non-conference encounter and ultimately prevail by four points.

•In his official debut with the ‘Cuse, Davis was tremendous. In 26 minutes, he tallied 22 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and one steal, while connecting on 7-of-9 from the field and 8-of-11 from the free-throw line. Davis was a big reason why Syracuse basketball won this contest, and even afterward, head coach Adrian Autry said that without Davis’ performance, the Orange wouldn’t have emerged victorious against the Dolphins.

•Bell notched 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting, but his biggest contribution came in the waning seconds, as he made a steal with Syracuse basketball clinging to a two-point edge. Bell was fouled on the play, made two free throws, and the ‘Cuse secured a four-point success.

•Freshman power forward Donnie Freeman, the consensus 2024 five-star prospect, struggled with his shot, but he still managed a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds.

•Other solid performances came from junior guard J.J. Starling, graduate student center Eddie Lampkin Jr., a four-star transfer from Colorado, and senior point guard Jaquan Carlos, a four-star transfer from Hofstra. Starling tallied 14 points, five boards and three assists. Lampkin produced 10 points, and Carlos had four rebounds, six assists and just one turnover.

•The Orange’s defense has work to do. Allowing 82 points to Le Moyne was problematic. The Dolphins were fluid with their ball movement, getting good looks, scoring efficiently both from the perimeter and in the paint, and beating ‘Cuse defenders off the dribble often with relative ease. Syracuse basketball players, on the defensive side, will have to greatly improve closing gaps, do a better job of keeping opposing players in front of them, and communicate to ensure that help is there when an Orange player gets beat off the dribble. As a unit, Le Moyne hit on 49 percent from the field, 36 percent from beyond the arc, and 74 percent from the charity stripe.

•It’s only one game, but my sense is that Syracuse basketball isn’t going to have issues putting points on the scoreboard. The Orange only made four shots from deep, connecting on just 18 percent from 3-point land, and yet the ‘Cuse still scored 86 points. Syracuse basketball players were aggressive in getting to the free-throw line, landing there for 31 attempts, but making only 64.5 percent from the charity stripe isn’t ideal.

•Redshirt sophomore guard Chance Westry, who missed all of 2023-24 due to an injury and didn’t suit up in either of the team’s two exhibitions late last month because of an undisclosed illness, didn’t play in the 2024-25 season opener, although Autry has said that he expects Westry to see game action soon.

•In various statistical categories, Syracuse basketball led 46-32 in rebounds, 15-12 in assists, 16-11 in turnovers forced, 16-8 in fast-break points, 7-6 in steals, 27-17 in points off turnovers, 50-36 in paint points, and 12-5 in second-chance points. Le Moyne led 34-28 in bench points.

•On Monday, the Dolphins had a lead for about 24 minutes, or 60.3 percent of this contest. Credit the Orange roster for hanging in there and squeaking out a win. To me, it showed that the ‘Cuse has character, grit and toughness.

•The Orange, after this first game, has a week to regroup and prepare for top Patriot League team Colgate, which comes to the Dome on Tuesday, Nov. 12, beginning at 7 pm and with live-streaming coverage on the ACC Network Extra. The Raiders had defeated Syracuse basketball on two straight occasions, but in November of last year, at home, the Orange stormed back in the second half to win over Colgate, 79-75.