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Mar 10, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Syracuse Orange bench during the second half against the Southern Methodist University Mustangs at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
For twenty minutes the Syracuse Orange (15-17) were able to match SMU’s offense, but as we’ve seen far too many times, the Orange faded in the second half leading to an 86-69 loss to end the season. Let’s get to the takeaways:
Crown Kingz
Nate Kingz is pushing for another season of eligibility and his performance will certainly raise his profile to the next Syracuse staff. Kingz had 29 points and 6 rebounds. He shot 11-18 from the field while the rest of the starters were 8-30. Kingz should get his NCAA waiver approved and I think we’d all love to see him back with the Orange.
Kingz and Tyler Betsey (15 points on 5-8 from 3) were the only Syracuse players in double-figures while all five SMU starters reached that mark.
Backcourt Blowout
Boopie Miller and Jaron Pierre combined to shoot 16-38 from the field, 10-26 from 3 and combined for 12 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 turnovers. Nait George and JJ Starling combined to shoot 3-19 from the field, 0-9 from 3 with 4 rebounds, 12 assists (11 from George) and 5 turnovers. Miller had two early fouls but Syracuse couldn’t attack him on defense to get him out of the game. SMU took control when Pierre hit back-to-back 3s to stretch the SMU lead to 62-48.
It’s a disappointing end to Starling’s career as the local product had been counted on to try and get this team back to the NCAA Tournament. George
Future Appears Hazy
What will Syracuse look like when they take the floor in the JMA Dome next Fall? That’s anyone’s guess. We’ll have to see who is running the show and what they decide. Even without a coaching change, the transfer portal makes it hard to predict who might return to Syracuse, but with a change it’s anyone’s guess.
We know that Starling, Kyle and Zephir have exhausted eligibility, but everything else is very unclear. I don’t have any inside info, but it makes sense that any HC would likely welcome Kingz.Kiyan Anthony and Sadiq White back. Kiyan shouldered heavy expectations in his first year, but he seems steadfast in his desire to return Syracuse to prominence. Kingz said he hopes to return and White’s athleticism and potential should be appealing.
Don’t be shocked if everyone enters the portal, but don’t be shocked if there’s a few returners in 26-27.
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