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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — When Syracuse gets in a rut at the free-throw line, head coach Adrian Autry doesn’t say anything. In fact, he desires for his players not to even glance at him on SU’s sideline.

“I hope they don’t look over at me,” Autry said. “Because I am agonized.”

The Orange have posted their fair share of horrific nights from the charity stripe. Tuesday was up there with one of SU’s worst.

No. 14 seed Syracuse (14-18, 7-13 Atlantic Coast) beat No. 11 seed Florida State (17-15, 8-12 Atlantic Coast) 66-62 in the first round of the ACC Tournament. Though SU’s horrid 12-for-22 (55%) performance from the free-throw line nearly allowed the Seminoles to claw back from a 16-point deficit, almost ending its season.

The Orange entered the conference tournament at 71.1% on free throws, ranking just above Georgia Tech for the worst ranking in the ACC. They’d already posted 15 games shooting under 70% from the line. But with SU’s season hanging on by a thread, it can no longer afford to struggle with the gimmes.

“If we want to win games, we can’t shoot 55% from the free-throw line,” SU point guard Jaquan Carlos said. “March teams who don’t turn the ball over and make free throws usually come out on top.”

After entering the conference tournament, adjustments — both mentally and physically — must be made in all aspects. Playing in an NBA arena with different gear, changes are often shifted from the norm of regular season play.

SU guard Kyle Cuffe Jr., who iced the game at the free-throw line with two swishes but went 0-for-3 from the field, said it wasn’t mental errors plaguing Syracuse at the charity stripe. Nor was it something he felt the Orange needed to work on in the 24 hours before their second-round matchup versus SMU.

The biggest adjustment for Cuffe comes with the basketballs. SU, like many schools across the conference, uses Nike-manufactured basketballs for all practices and games. As a conference-sanctioned event, the ACC is using Spalding Legacy TF-1000 Indoor Game Basketballs.

“Those basketballs are nasty,” Cuffe said.

The rims at the Spectrum Center also played a role, according to Cuffe, as he described them as “stiff.” What’s more, the Orange had a third of their normal time to warm up on the court pregame due to the Virginia Tech versus Cal game going into double overtime.

Different basketballs and rims could be seen as an excuse for a simple explanation of poor shooting. But across the conference’s first three games, the proof was in the pudding.

The six teams competing on the conference tournament’s opening day struggled from beyond the arc, shooting a dismal 20-of-117 (17.1%), well below their collective regular-season average of 34%. At the free-throw line, the six teams combined for 70% shooting on 139 total attempts.

The Orange hit their first two 3-pointers out of the gate to jump in front. They then went on to miss their last 12 attempts from beyond the arc. From the free-throw line, it was a mixed bag despite Cuffe and Jyáre Davis knocking down the last four attempts.

As Syracuse needed a closer, star guard J.J. Starling recommended that Autry put in Cuffe to finish the game. Starling totaled a game-high 27 points and 19 in the second half but struggled on free throws, making just 3-of-8 attempts. It’s hampered his play all season, shooting just 69.9% on 4.9 attempts per game.

Starling reveals a noticeable hitch when at the charity stripe. His elbows slowly maneuver up with clear hesitation, limiting his fluidity in comparison to his potent jump shot.

Autry inserted Cuffe for Eddie Lampkin Jr. with five seconds to play and SU up one. Starling said the Orange knew all they needed was to inbound the ball successfully and Cuffe would seal the deal.

Cuffe delivered, but the rest of the Orange faltered. Early in the second half, as Syracuse built momentum, Davis grabbed a rebound, put up a floater and scored while drawing a foul, extending SU’s lead to 36-28. However, after the commercial break, he missed the free throw, giving FSU an opening to fuel its furious comeback.

Later in the half, in a much closer contest, Starling stepped to the line four times and converted just once. Davis split a pair, and with the Orange leading by just five with two minutes to play, Lampkin nearly cost them the game.

Syracuse’s center has been a steady force lately, averaging 14.4 points per game over its last five. From the line, he’s been less reliable, shooting 63.6% after four previous seasons under 70%.

Lampkin closed his eyes, took a deep breath and twitched his right hand out in preparation for his biggest shots yet. The first rattled in and out. Lampkin continued his same routine for the second. That one missed long, keeping the Seminoles within striking distance.

Luckily for Lampkin and Co., Davis and Cuffe hit nothing but net, capitalizing when it mattered most.

But SU’s overall display was concerning. Starling 3-for-8. Davis 3-for-5. Lampkin 2-for-4. The Orange escaped unscathed. Though, in another battle against the Mustangs to keep its season alive, Syracuse can’t afford a poor day from the charity stripe.

“You can’t let the misses from (Tuesday) impact (Wednesday),” Davis said.

Published on March 12, 2025 at 12:32 pm

Contact Aiden at: amstepan@syr.edu | @AidenStepansky