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Letter From The Editor
Dear Readers,
Syracuse men's basketball has struggled in Adrian Autry's second season as head coach, ranking 14th in the Atlantic Coast Conference with six games remaining. Meanwhile, North Carolina was picked to finish second in the ACC's Preseason Poll but has gotten out to an average 7-6 record in conference play.
Saturday's matchup is pivotal for both programs. SU is trying to create breathing room toward qualifying for the ACC Tournament with a win, while UNC is attempting to keep its NCAA Tournament-hopeful resume intact.
The Daily Orange has everything you need to know before Syracuse's ACC clash against North Carolina.
Thanks for reading
Justin Girshon | Sports Editor
BASKETBALL WUNDERKIND
GM Alex Kline's newest challenge is building SU a winning roster
By: Justin Girshon | Sports Editor
Alex Kline's uncanny scouting ability, deep connections and innovative mindset made him a basketball wunderkind. After an eight-year NBA scouting career with the New Orleans Pelicans and New York Knicks, he became Syracuse men's basketball's first general manager. Now, tasked with building a winning roster and restoring the “Orange Standard,” Kline will play a crucial role in shaping SU's place in college basketball's evolving landscape.
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HIS TEAM
J.J. Starling has evolved into Syracuse's No. 1 option in junior year
By: Zak Wolf | Senior Staff Writer
Following Judah Mintz's departure, J.J. Starling has stepped up as Syracuse's No. 1 option. The guard is averaging a career-high 18.2 points per game and is taking over four more shots per game than he did last season. It's a role the junior is accustomed to but didn't have as a freshman at Notre Dame or in his sophomore year after transferring to SU.
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'PACKAGE DEAL'
Elijah Moore, Ian Jackson starred together in HS. Now, they're ACC foes.
By: Aiden Stepansky | Digital Managing Editor
Elijah Moore and Ian Jackson created one of the top backcourt tandems across the AAU and high school circuits beginning in eighth grade. Jackson became a McDonald's All-American and the No. 8 player in the 2024 class, per 247Sports, while Moore was ranked No. 59. On Saturday, they face for the first time in college when Moore's Syracuse hosts Jackson's North Carolina.
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MUST WIN?
Previewing Syracuse's ACC clash with North Carolina
By: Justin Girshon | Sports Editor
Syracuse's 86-79 upset over then-No. 7 North Carolina last year was its first win against an AP Top 10 opponent since 2019. Fifty-seven games into Adrian Autry's head coach tenure, it remains SU's best win. The programs face off for the first time since Saturday, with the Orange needing a win to strengthen their ACC Tournament position and UNC fighting to keep its NCAA Tournament hopes alive.
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BEAT WRITER PREDICTIONS
Beat writers agree Syracuse will fall to UNC
By: Daily Orange Sports Staff
Syracuse followed a 95-86 triple-overtime win over Boston College by suffering an embarrassing 91-84 loss on Tuesday to Miami, the worst team in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Next, the Orange return home to face North Carolina on Saturday. Despite the Tar Heels coming off a 20-point road loss versus Clemson, our beat writers agree SU will drop its second-straight game for its 10th conference loss.
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