Syracuse Upsets No. 7 North Carolina with Impressive Victory
In a stunning turn of events, Syracuse University’s basketball team pulled off a major upset against the seventh-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels on Tuesday night. The game, held in Syracuse, New York, saw the Orange come out on top with a final score of 86-79. The victory marked Syracuse’s first win against a top 10 team since their memorable overtime triumph over Duke in 2019.
Led by standout performances from Judah Mintz and JJ Starling, Syracuse put on an impressive display of skill and determination. Mintz, who scored a total of 25 points, including 16 in the second half, played a crucial role in securing the win. Starling, on the other hand, contributed 23 points, with 13 of them coming in the second half.
The raucous home crowd erupted with joy as the final buzzer sounded, rushing onto the court to celebrate the historic victory. Syracuse’s head coach, Adrian Autry, expressed his pride in his team’s performance, stating, “This game, obviously, was the best game we’ve played all year. Judah and JJ really stepped up big, but everybody who stepped on the court had a hand in the victory.”
The Orange’s shooting accuracy played a significant role in their success, as they shot an impressive 63% from the field and 47% from beyond the arc. This level of efficiency proved too much for North Carolina to handle, as they struggled to find their rhythm throughout the game.
North Carolina’s woes continued into the second half, as they missed their first 10 shots and fell behind by nine points. However, they managed to rally and took a brief lead of 65-64 with just over seven minutes remaining. But Syracuse refused to be denied, demonstrating their resilience and determination.
Mintz and Starling came up clutch in the final minutes of the game, hitting crucial shots to secure the victory for Syracuse. Starling’s desperation 3-point bank shot gave the Orange a 67-65 lead, and Mintz followed it up with a layup, jumper, and two free throws to extend their advantage to 73-67. Starling then added another 3-pointer, effectively sealing the win for Syracuse.
The win was a significant milestone for Syracuse, as it showcased their potential and ability to compete against top-tier teams. Mintz emphasized the team’s confidence and heart, stating, “We’re a confident group no matter how the odds are stacked against us. It’s great to get the win for the program.”
For Starling, who hails from nearby Baldwinsville, the victory held special meaning. He expressed the team’s need for this win, stating, “One game against them showed that it wasn’t us. This showed what we’re capable of.”
In addition to Mintz and Starling’s standout performances, Maliq Brown contributed 14 points and six rebounds for Syracuse, while Chris Bell chipped in with 13 points. On the opposing side, RJ Davis led North Carolina with 19 points, followed by Cormac Ryan with 18 points.
North Carolina’s head coach, Hubert Davis, acknowledged Syracuse’s exceptional performance and their ability to make big plays when it mattered most. He admitted, “We didn’t play well enough to win. We’ve just got to get better. They shot 63% from the field. Very few teams in the country you can beat, especially on the road when they shoot that well.”
Moving forward, North Carolina will need to address their defensive shortcomings if they want to secure a high seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Meanwhile, Syracuse will look to build on this momentum as they continue their season.
In their next games, North Carolina will host Virginia Tech, while Syracuse will visit Georgia Tech. Both teams will be eager to carry the energy and confidence gained from this game into their future matchups.
The Syracuse Orange’s victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of college basketball. It showcases the potential for underdogs to rise up and defeat top-ranked teams, creating moments of pure excitement and celebration.
