The Syracuse Orange are set to host the Delaware State Hornets this Saturday at 2 p.m. EST in Syracuse, New York. This matchup comes right after a strong showing by Donnie Freeman, who dropped 20 points in their 85-47 win over the Binghamton Bearcats.
The Orange are hoping to keep that momentum going and build on their 1-0 start. Delaware State, meanwhile, is looking to bounce back after an 0-1 start—so both squads have something to prove. Honestly, that makes this an early-season game worth checking out.
Syracuse’s Strong Start
Last season, the Syracuse Orange had a tough run, finishing with a 14-19 record overall. At home, though, they were much better, going 11-6.
The Orange averaged 74.7 points per game but had some trouble defensively, letting opponents put up 77.8 points on average. This year, they’re hoping to tighten things up on defense and really lean into their offensive strengths.
Key Player: Donnie Freeman
Donnie Freeman has quickly become a key piece for Syracuse. In the opener against Binghamton, Freeman put up 20 points and really set the tone for the team.
His play will probably be a big factor if Syracuse wants to keep their winning streak alive. He’s got some buzz around him already, and for good reason.
Delaware State’s Road Challenges
Delaware State had a mixed bag last year, ending up 16-14 but struggling on the road with just a 3-11 record. Still, the Hornets were no slouches on offense, averaging 78.7 points per game and hitting 46.1% from the field.
They were also pretty dangerous from deep, shooting 36.9% from three-point range. That’s not something you want to ignore.
Offensive Strengths
Offensively, Delaware State has a lot going for them. They can score both inside and out, which makes them a tricky matchup.
Their shooting numbers show a balanced attack that could give any defense trouble if they get hot. I wouldn’t be shocked if they catch fire at some point.
Matchup Analysis
This game’s a decent test for both teams so early in the season. Syracuse will try to use their home-court edge and keep getting buckets from guys like Freeman.
Delaware State, meanwhile, has to figure out how to win on the road and use their offense to put some pressure on Syracuse. It’s not an easy task, but hey, stranger things have happened in college hoops.
Defensive Strategies
Syracuse really needs to step up on defense compared to last season. Limiting Delaware State’s chances, especially from three, is probably at the top of their to-do list.
For Delaware State, it’s all about clamping down on Syracuse’s scorers—especially Freeman. If they can slow him down, things could get interesting.
Game Predictions
Syracuse, with their strong start and home-court advantage, seem like the favorites here. Still, Delaware State’s offense isn’t something to brush off.
If the Hornets get rolling, this one could end up a lot closer than folks expect. Guess we’ll see how it shakes out on Saturday.
Key Factors to Watch
- Donnie Freeman’s Performance: Can he put up another 20-point game like he did in the opener? Or was that just a hot start?
- Delaware State’s Road Performance: They haven’t looked great away from home. Will this be the night they turn it around?
- Defensive Adjustments: Curious to see what tweaks both teams make on defense. Can they really slow each other down?
For more on this matchup and any last-minute updates, check out Fox Sports.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
