Syracuse only has to look to an ACC rival to be reminded of the potential threat posted by mid-major Hofstra.
The Orange will continue a lengthy homestand Saturday afternoon, when they host Hofstra in a battle of New York programs.
Syracuse returned from a nine-day layoff Thursday night, when the Orange fended off an upset bid by visiting Saint Joseph’s to earn a 71-63 win. Hofstra has been off since Wednesday, when the host Pride cruised to a 92-23 victory over Division III Old Westbury.
The Orange (6-3), who earned a statement win by beating then-No. 13 Tennessee 62-60 on Dec. 2, needed some time to shake off the rust Thursday. Saint Joseph’s, which entered Thursday ranked No. 180 at KenPom.com, raced out to a 14-7 lead and trailed 34-30 at the half before tying the score three times in the final 20 minutes.
The Hawks were within 59-56 with 5:29 left before Syracuse’s William Kyle III and Tyler Betsey combined to score nine points in a game-ending 12-7 run.
“Tonight was kind of like a wake-up call and we are definitely thinking we could have played better,” Betsey said. “But we have a quick turnaround and are excited to prove ourselves.”
Hofstra (7-4), picked to finish eighth in the Coastal Athletic Association, set a program record for margin of victory Wednesday. But the Pride indicated it might exceed preseason expectations last Sunday, when Cruz Davis scored 36 points in an 80-73 road upset of ACC foe Pitt.
The Pride has recorded a win over a power conference foe four times in coach Speedy Claxton’s five seasons at the helm.
“We beat an ACC team on their own court, so that’s definitely a statement win,” said Claxton, who led Hofstra to the NCAA Tournament as a player in 2000 before being drafted in the first round by the Philadelphia 76ers. “And we have another chance to do it again.”
Kyle leads active Syracuse players with 10.1 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. Donnie Freeman is averaging 17.8 points but has missed the last five games with a right foot injury. Naithan George leads the Orange with 5.0 assists per game.
Davis leads Hofstra with 20.6 ppg. Victory Onuetu is averaging 7.7 rpg, while Preston Edmead posts 5.3 apg.
–Field Level Media
