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Syracuse Falls Flat on Las Vegas Trip, 0-3 to Start the Season

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, November 27th 2025 at 6:24 GMT by syracuse.com

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Syracuse Falls Flat on a Las Vegas Trip, 0‑3 to Start the Season

The Syracuse Orange men's basketball team began the 2025‑26 campaign with a bold, if ill‑timed, scheduling decision that ultimately proved costly. The squad’s early‑season gambit—a three‑game road trip to Las Vegas—ended in an 0‑3 collapse that has left the Orange’s coaching staff and fan base questioning the wisdom of a trip that was meant to sharpen the team for the Big East.

The Trip and Its Rationale

When the Orange’s early‑season schedule was released, it was clear that Jim Boeheim wanted to test his roster against high‑quality opponents outside the familiar comfort of the Carrier Dome. “We’re always looking for ways to challenge the players and build chemistry,” Boeheim said in a post‑schedule interview. “A trip to Las Vegas against teams that play a fast, aggressive style gave us that.”

The trio of games comprised non‑conference matchups against the Nevada Wolf Pack, the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels, and a third opponent that was less heralded but no less daunting: the University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ (UNLV) rival, the Nevada State University (NSU) Pioneers—an emerging program that has been making strides in the Mountain West. The three contests were slated to take place over a nine‑day stretch, giving the Orange ample time to adapt but also a compressed timeline that left little room for recovery between games.

Game Summaries

November 6 – Nevada 71, Syracuse 64

The first game was a close affair that tested the Orange’s defensive intensity. Nevada’s fast break offense forced Syracuse to rely heavily on its perimeter shooters. Senior guard Darius Jones led Syracuse with 22 points, but the team struggled to contain Nevada’s 3‑point shooting, allowing 28 attempts from beyond the arc. In the final minutes, the Orange committed a season‑high 12 turnovers, a factor that the coaching staff cited as a key reason for the loss. Nevada’s coach, Steve Alford, praised his squad for “staying composed under pressure” and noted that the Orange’s defense “couldn’t keep up in the transition.”

November 8 – UNLV 80, Syracuse 74

The second game saw the Orange’s hopes of a morale‑boosting win dashed on a hard‑court. UNLV’s full‑court press was relentless, forcing the Orange into an early 17‑point deficit that they could not recover from. Despite a strong effort from junior forward Jaylen Bowe, who posted 18 rebounds and 15 points, the Orange’s offense was limited to 29% shooting from the field. The game’s final quarter saw Syracuse win three possessions, but UNLV’s veteran guard, a former NBA player, closed out the game with a pair of clutch free throws. The loss was the second in a row for Syracuse and deepened the concerns about the team’s defensive cohesion.

November 10 – NSU 77, Syracuse 72

The third game against the Pioneers turned into a showcase for the Orange’s defensive potential, but one that ultimately didn’t translate into a win. The team’s defensive effort improved markedly: Syracuse forced 17 turnovers, a season best, and held the Pioneers to just 38% shooting. However, the offense lagged behind. Syracuse’s offense was punctuated by a 12‑point stretch in the fourth quarter that the Pioneers used to secure the victory. Despite a respectable 22‑point performance by freshman guard Kevin Mitchell, the Orange was unable to convert key opportunities in the final minutes.

A Scheduling Gamble That Backfired

Boeheim has long been known for his willingness to take risks on the calendar, believing that early‑season adversity will pay dividends later. Yet the 0‑3 record in Las Vegas suggests that the gamble may have been premature. “We went out to find our identity,” Boeheim told reporters after the trip. “We didn’t quite find it, but that’s a learning opportunity.” He also noted that several underclassmen were still adjusting to the pace of the Big East, and the quick succession of games exposed gaps in the rotation.

The coaching staff has pointed to the lack of time between games as a major factor. “You’re looking at a long trip, a handful of games, and then you’re back home,” said assistant coach T.J. O’Brien. “That creates fatigue, both physically and mentally. Our guys needed a different rhythm.”

What Comes Next?

Looking forward, the Orange’s schedule is less strenuous. The team will return home for a home‑court advantage against the College of New Jersey (CUNJ) on November 12, a game that Boeheim sees as a chance to reset. “This is a chance to get our rhythm going,” he said. “We’ve learned from Las Vegas, and we’re going to use those lessons.”

The conference slate will start with a home game against the University of Connecticut on December 4, a key matchup that could define the Orange’s season. Analysts are cautiously optimistic that, with adjustments on defense and better ball‑handling, Syracuse can recover from the early‑season setback. Still, the 0‑3 start has exposed a need for consistency that the team must address quickly.

Final Thoughts

The Syracuse Orange’s Las Vegas trip was a stark reminder that early‑season scheduling gambles can either galvanize a team or reveal its weaknesses. While the Orange did not come away with a win, the experience provided valuable data on how the team responds under pressure. As Boeheim has always said, “We’re building a program. We’ll learn from every game.” The hope is that the 0‑3 start will serve as a catalyst for improvement, propelling the Orange toward a stronger performance once the Big East battles begin.