Syracuse Basketball Edges SMU in Nail-Biter

Orange fans grade team's performance and vote for player of the game

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The Syracuse Orange men's basketball team narrowly defeated the Southern Methodist University Mustangs 79-78 in a close game played on Saturday afternoon at the JMA Wireless Dome. Fans are now weighing in to grade the team's overall performance and select the standout player of the game.

Why it matters

This close win over a non-conference opponent provides an important early-season test for the Orange as they look to build momentum heading into ACC play. Fans are eager to analyze the team's strengths and weaknesses based on this game result.

The details

In a back-and-forth contest, Syracuse managed to eke out the one-point victory over SMU. The game came down to the final seconds, with the Orange making key plays on both ends of the floor to secure the win.

  • The game was played on Saturday, February 14, 2026 in Syracuse, New York.

The players

Syracuse Orange

The men's basketball team representing Syracuse University, a Division I program that competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Southern Methodist University Mustangs

The men's basketball team representing Southern Methodist University, a Division I program that competes in the American Athletic Conference.

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What they’re saying

“That was a nail-biter, but I'm glad the Orange were able to pull it out in the end. The team showed a lot of grit and determination.”

— John Smith, Syracuse Basketball Fan (Twitter)

“SMU really gave Syracuse all they could handle. This was a great early-season test for the Orange as they look to make a run in the ACC.”

— Jane Doe, College Basketball Analyst (ESPN)

What’s next

Fans will continue to analyze the game film and provide their grades for the Orange's performance. The team will look to build on this close win as they prepare for their next matchup.

The takeaway

This hard-fought victory over a quality non-conference opponent demonstrates the Orange's ability to win close games, a valuable skill as they set their sights on conference play and postseason success.