SMU, Syracuse Each Bring Slumps Into ACC Tournament

The first-round matchup could be too late for No. 11 seed SMU and No. 14 seed Syracuse to turn their seasons around.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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SMU and Syracuse, both struggling at the end of the regular season, will face off in the first round of the ACC tournament on Tuesday. SMU has lost its last four games, while Syracuse has dropped five straight to close out the regular season. The winner will take on sixth-seeded Louisville in the second round.

Why it matters

This matchup features two teams that have fallen on hard times heading into the postseason. Both SMU and Syracuse are in danger of missing the NCAA Tournament, making this a crucial game for their hopes of making the Big Dance.

The details

SMU has been led by guard Boopie Miller, who is averaging 19.4 points per game this season. However, he was held to just 11 points in the regular-season meeting against Syracuse. The Orange, meanwhile, have been playing under embattled coach Adrian Autry, whose team is in danger of finishing with a losing record for the second season in a row.

  • The first-round matchup will take place on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
  • The winner will face sixth-seeded Louisville in the second round on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.

The players

Boopie Miller

SMU guard who scored a career-high 32 points in the team's last game, with 28 coming in the second half. He averaged 19.4 points per game this season.

Adrian Autry

Syracuse's head coach, who is facing scrutiny as his team is in danger of finishing with a losing record for the second straight season.

Naithan George

Syracuse's leading scorer in the team's last two games.

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What they’re saying

“Some of our veterans had a tough first half.”

— Andy Enfield, SMU Head Coach (statenews.net)

“This is college athletics. This is sports. I can only worry about today. I can't get ahead. The speculation, that is part of it. The only thing I can do is focus on the team and try to get us ready to win games.”

— Adrian Autry, Syracuse Head Coach (statenews.net)

“Getting back to the standard is going to be a little more challenging than we all thought it would be.”

— Adrian Autry, Syracuse Head Coach (statenews.net)

What’s next

The winner of Tuesday's first-round matchup between SMU and Syracuse will face sixth-seeded Louisville in the second round on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.

The takeaway

This game features two teams that have struggled down the stretch, making it a crucial contest for their NCAA Tournament hopes. The winner will have a chance to potentially knock off a higher-seeded opponent in the second round, keeping their postseason dreams alive.