Syracuse men's basketball falls short in upset bid against #18 Virginia

Turnovers and offensive rebounds prove costly for the Orange in 72-59 loss

Feb. 7, 2026 at 1:31pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Syracuse Orange men's basketball team fell short in their upset bid against the 18th-ranked Virginia Cavaliers, losing 72-59 on Saturday. Turnovers and offensive rebounding were key factors, with Virginia outscoring Syracuse 17-8 in points off turnovers and holding a 17-6 advantage on the offensive glass. Despite shooting better from the field, the Orange struggled to overcome their mistakes and Virginia's second-chance opportunities.

Why it matters

This loss is another missed opportunity for Syracuse to pick up a marquee win against a top team in the ACC. The Orange have now lost six of their last seven games, putting their postseason hopes in jeopardy. The team's struggles with turnovers and rebounding have been a recurring issue that they've been unable to resolve, and it ultimately cost them against a talented Virginia squad.

The details

Syracuse trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half but battled back to tie the game at 33 before halftime. However, the Cavaliers pulled away in the second half, capitalizing on Orange turnovers and second-chance points. Naithan George led Syracuse with 19 points, while J.J. Starling and Nate Kingz each added 13. Virginia was paced by Sam Lewis' 16 points, including four 3-pointers.

  • The game was played on Saturday, February 7, 2026.
  • Syracuse returns home to face California on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

The players

Naithan George

A Syracuse player who scored a game-high 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting with three assists and five turnovers.

J.J. Starling

A Syracuse player who scored 13 points for the Orange.

Nate Kingz

A Syracuse player who also scored 13 points for the Orange.

Sam Lewis

The leading scorer for Virginia with 16 points, including four 3-pointers.

William Kyle

A Syracuse player who set the tone early with a block on Virginia's first possession.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Syracuse returns to the JMA Wireless Dome on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 to face California.

The takeaway

This loss highlights the ongoing struggles for Syracuse, who have now dropped six of their last seven games. The team's inability to limit turnovers and secure defensive rebounds proved costly against a talented Virginia squad, and the Orange will need to address these issues if they hope to turn their season around and make a push for the postseason.