For much of this 2025-26 Syracuse University men's basketball season, the attendance, or lack thereof, has been a storyline. 

The JMA Wireless Dome has been more empty than in the program's heyday and people have taken notice. Some of that is likely because the team hasn't played as well, some of that is because of bad weather on game days, and some of it is probably because there haven't been as many marquee home matchups in this campaign.

SMU, Cal, Virginia Tech and Florida State just don't move the needle as much as much as UConn, Georgetown or Villanova once did, or as much as Duke does.

However, with North Carolina in town on Saturday afternoon, there was a harkening back to better days at the Dome.

As noted by Syracuse men's basketball on "X," 23,606 fans came out to watch the game, which is the highest single-game attendance in the country this season.

Unfortunately, the Orange lost 77-64, falling to 15-13 on the campaign. They are just 6-9 with three games to play inside the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) regular season.

The Orange are on the verge of missing the NCAA Tournament for the fifth straight year.

--It was another disappointing offensive game from the Orange, who dished out just six assists in total. In addition to the poor ball movement, SU also shot just 3-of-17 from three-point range (18 percent). Both of those have been consistent problems for this group all season.

--JJ Starling scored 22 points, but Donnie Freeman had just nine. Freeman was ejected from the game after getting two technical fouls. Naithan George had just seven points while Nate Kingz had four. 

--North Carolina was playing without star freshman Caleb Wilson, who is projected to be a top pick in the NBA Draft. He's averaging nearly 20 ppg.

--Syracuse will be back in action next Saturday against Wake Forest. That game will be on the road at 3:45 p.m. ET. 

--Congratulations are in order for Syracuse women's hockey coach Britni Smith, who helped lead Team Canada to the silver medal at the Olympics this week. The Canadians were beaten by the Americans in the gold medal game. Team USA has now won the gold medal in two of the last three Olympics.

--The Syracuse men's lacrosse team lost a disappointing contest against Harvard on Saturday, falling 13-12. Syracuse had moved up to No. 1 in the nation but is sure to fall back in the polls when the new one is released on Monday.

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