Category: Syracuse Orange

Where Clemson softball ranks in new Top 25 polls

NCAA Softball: here’s where the Clemson Tigers softball team ranked in this week’s Top 25 polls.

Clemson stayed at No. 15 in the new D1Softball Top 25 poll this week, released Tuesday, April 2.

John Rittman’s Tigers are 24-10 overall and won two of three last week in a series against Boston College at McWhorter Stadium. The Tigers’ scheduled midweek game against Georgia State was canceled due to inclement weather.

In the new USA TODAY Sports/NFCA Division I coaches poll for Week 8, the Tigers slipped one spot from last week to No. 17.

Clemson checked in at No. 20 in the new Softball America Top 25 rankings, moving up one spot in that poll.

Oklahoma (34-1) remained a unanimous No. 1 in every poll after another unbeaten week. Duke (29-3) moved up to No. 2 in the coaches poll while Texas (29-5) slipped from No. 2 to No. 4. Georgia (29-5) remained at No. 3. LSU (29-4) rounded out the top five.

Other ACC schools ranked in the coaches poll are Virginia Tech (No. 15) and Florida State (No. 18).

The Tigers are scheduled to play Furman in midweek action Tuesday at home. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. EDT. Clemson travels to Syracuse to begin a three-game weekend series in ACC play beginning Friday.

Clemson seniors power Tigers past Syracuse in home finale, 90-75

PJ Hall had 21 points in the first half and finished with 25, Joe Girard added 21, and Clemson picked up a crucial 90-75 victory over Syracuse in ACC play Tuesday.

Senior Night at Littlejohn Coliseum had to include a little fun from Clemson’s senior class.

PJ Hall had 21 points in the first half and finished with 25, Joe Girard added 21, and Clemson picked up a crucial 90-75 victory over Syracuse in ACC play Tuesday.

The win was critical for a Tigers (21-9 overall, 11-8 ACC) team that is hoping to finish in the top four in league standings to earn a double bye in the ACC Tournament later this month in Washington, D.C.

On this night, they certainly played like one of the ACC’s four best.

Clemson jumped out to an early 11-point lead after senior Chase Hunter sank the Tigers’ fourth 3-pointer of the first eight-plus minutes of the game.

When Hall made a jumper with 1:28 to play in the half, he had 21 points and the Tigers had upped their lead back to double digits after it had dwindled to just two earlier.

And on Clemson’s last possession of the half, Ian Schieffelin shot a thrilling no-look pass to Hunter, who had cut under the basket for a dunk to close the half with an exclamation point. The Tigers led, 42-30, at halftime following a 12-2 run.

“We got a bunch of open shots (early),” Clemson coach Brad Brownell said afterwards. “PJ was getting some open looks. He didn’t make many at Notre Dame, but boy was he making them tonight. I just felt like he gave us a shot in the arm.”

Hunter sank his third 3-pointer of the game with 8:01 to play in regulation, and the Tigers had their largest lead of the night to that point at 68-54.

Girard, a late-arriving member to Clemson’s senior class after transferring from Syracuse a year ago, made a four-point play against his former team with 5:42 left. Girard drew a foul from Kyle Cuffe Jr. while connecting on a 3-pointer.

Hall made a two-handed slam with 2:53 to play to cap his performance, and Hunter followed with a dunk of his own on the Tigers’ next possession. Hunter had 17 points, one of four Clemson players to finish in double figures.

Schieffelin finished with 16 points to go with 16 rebounds. He was 6-of-6 from the field and 5-of-5 from the foul line.

“Offensively, we were just really good,” Brownell said. “We took care of the ball for the most part. We went inside a lot to Ian and he was able to deliver. We just had a really good mix to our game.”

Hall, Hunter, Girard, and Jack Clark all checked out of the game with 31.5 remaining. They received a standing ovation from an appreciative Littlejohn crowd.

“Great performance and I’m certainly happy for our seniors,” Brownell added. “I thought Chase, Joe and PJ all played great. They were really locked in.”

Judah Mintz had 20 points to lead Syracuse (20-10, 11-8).

Tuesday’s win moved the Tigers ahead of Syracuse for fourth in conference standings. Clemson can clinch a double bye in the ACC tournament with a win over Wake Forest Saturday in Winston-Salem.

Clemson Tigers vs. Syracuse Orange: How to Watch/Stream/Listen

A look at how and where Clemson fans can watch, stream and listen to Tuesday’s game against Syracuse.

Clemson picked an inopportune time for an upset loss when it fell 69-62 to Notre Dame on Saturday in South Bend.

Now, the Tigers (20-9 overall, 10-8 ACC) will look to rebound when it hosts a streaking Syracuse team Tuesday on Senior Night at Littlejohn Coliseum.

For PJ Hall and Chase Hunter, it will be the last time that two of the more decorated players will suit up before what’s sure to be an electric home crowd. (The Tigers close the regular season Saturday at Wake Forest before the ACC Tournament begins March 12 at Washington, D.C.’s Capital One Arena.)

Hall has led the Tigers in scoring this season and had 21 points in the team’s loss at Notre Dame over the weekend.

Hunter has had plenty of memorable moments as a Tiger, including a season-high 20-point performance against Miami three weeks earlier at Littlejohn. He also drained a clutch 3-pointer with 38.5 seconds remaining in his team’s 69-62 victory over Pitt last week that essentially put the game out of reach.

Joe Girard is another senior, though he’s played only one season for the Tigers after transferring from Syracuse. Girard has nevertheless been a team leader and averages 15.5 points per game.

NC State transfer Jack Clark is also a senior. Clark didn’t play in Saturday’s game due to illness. Alex Hemenway and Bas Leyte are also members of the Tigers’ senior class.

Clemson is facing a must-win situation if it hopes to finish fourth in conference standings and earn a double bye in the ACC Tournament. To do so, they’ll have to hold off a Syracuse team that has won four straight games and five of its past six.

The Orange (20-10, 11-8) moved one game ahead of Clemson for fourth in ACC standings when they defeated Louisville over the weekend. Judah Mintz leads Syracuse with an average of 19 points per game, and JJ Starling is second with 13.5.

Tuesday’s matchup will mark the second meeting of the season between the Tigers and Orange. Clemson defeated Syracuse 77-68 at JMA Wireless Dome (Carrier Dome) back on February 10. In that game, Girard scored a game-high 18 points in his return to Syracuse.

Series Notes and Recent History

Clemson leads the all-time head to head series with Syracuse, 9-6. All but two of those meetings have occurred since the Orange joined the ACC in 2013-14. Clemson has won six of the seven games played against Syracuse at Littlejohn Coliseum, including 91-73 last season.

How To Watch

Here’s a look at how and where Clemson fans can watch, listen, and stream Tuesday’s game.

Date: Tuesday, March 5

Time: 7 p.m. EST

Where: Littlejohn Coliseum

TV Channel: ESPN2

Live Stream: ESPN+

Radio: Clemson Athletic Network | TuneIn App | SiriusXM (Channel 382)

Broadcast Teams

ESPN2: Rece Davis, Sean Farnham

Clemson Radio: Don Munson, Tim Bourret

The ACC boasts two of the top five recruiters in the nation

Two ACC coaches make the top 5 in 247Sports 2024 rankings, setting new standards for talent acquisition in college football.

In the fast-paced ACC football conference, two recruiters have emerged as the vanguards of talent acquisition, dominating the 247Sports 2024 recruiter rankings. Fran Brown, the orchestrator of Georgia’s No. 1 2024 class before taking the helm at Syracuse, and Jason Taylor. He is Miami’s defensive line coach with a Hall of Fame aura, standing out not only in the ACC but nationally for their unparalleled recruiting prowess.

Fran Brown’s journey to the top of the recruiting world is highlighted by his authentic connections with recruits and their families. His ability to forge deep, meaningful relationships was instrumental in securing commitments from top talents, including Ellis Robinson IV, Justin Williams, and KJ Bolden for Georgia’s class, which ranked No. 1. Brown’s commitment to family and his genuine approach has set a new standard, evidenced by his swift impact at Syracuse, where he assembled the best recruiting class in the modern era for the Orange in just a few months.

Jason Taylor, on the other hand, leverages his NFL legacy and coaching acumen to make an instant impact at Miami. His significant role in recruiting the best defensive line class Miami has seen emphasizes his effectiveness on the recruiting trail. Taylor’s ability to attract top talent, including flipping five-star defensive lineman Justin Scott from Ohio State, and defensive end Armando Blount from rival Florida State, speaks volumes of his influence and the trust recruits place in him.

These two recruiters, along with other notable names like Holmon Wiggins (now at Texas A&M), Frank Wilson, and Marcus Davis, who also grace the list, have shaped the future of their respective programs with relentless recruitment efforts.

Brown and Taylor understand that the foundation of a strong recruit-coach relationship is trust, built on honest communication and genuine interactions. Their success proves how important the power of authenticity is in an environment often clouded by uncertainty.

It’s their genuine nature that breaks through defenses, proving that, in the ever-evoling game of recruitment, integrity, and trust are not just game plans but the endgame itself.  In a field full of NIL deals and broken promises, it’s not just about making the pass—it’s about ensuring it’s caught with integrity.

Syracuse beats North Carolina, picks up first signature win in Red Autry era

Red Autry and the Syracuse Orange pick up a signature win, beating the Tar Heels for their first win over a Top 10 team since 2019.

Replacing a legend is never easy, but Syracuse head coach Adrian ‘Red’ Autry certainly took the Orange back to the glory days of the Jim Boeheim era after defeating No. 7 North Carolina, 86-79, on Tuesday.

It was Syracuse’s first win over a Top 10 team since they beat Duke in overtime in 2019, and brought the Orange up to .500 in the ACC.

“This game, obviously, was the best game we’ve played all year,” Autry said after the game. “Judah (Mintz) and JJ (Starling) really stepped up big, but everybody who stepped on the court had a hand in the victory.”

Syracuse only played seven players in the victory, with injuries and a suspension limiting Autry’s depth, but they really only needed two as Mintz and Starling combined for 48 points on an outstanding 17-26 shooting to hand Carolina their third straight Tuesday loss.

‘Cuse may not be back to the dominance they had at different points under coach Boeheim, but this is the kind of signature win a first year head coach needs to gain some momentum and build up good rapport with the fanbase.

The Orange are 16-9 on the year and 7-7 in the ACC, and while they aren’t an NCAA Tournament team unless they win the conference tournament, the future certainly feels bright under Autry’s leadership.

Damien Alford addresses his ‘dismissal’ on social media

Syracuse football parts with leading receiver Damien Alford in a huge shift, spotlighting off-season changes and setting the stage for the team’s evolution into the 2024 season

In a move that has sent a ripple of confusion through the ACC community, Syracuse University’s football program announced the dismissal of Damien Alford, the team’s leading receiver from the 2023 season.

This decision, reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel and later confirmed by Syracuse.com, marks a significant turning point for the Orange as they navigate an off-season filled with changes.

During a standout 2023 season, Alford, a native of Montreal, Canada, set personal bests with 33 receptions, 610 receiving yards, and three touchdowns. Over his four-year career at Syracuse, Alford made a lasting impression, accumulating 67 catches for 1,291 yards and seven touchdowns across 42 appearances. His contributions place him 22nd in the program’s history for receiving yards, a testament to his impact on the field.

However, the 2024 season promised a new look for Syracuse, with a comprehensive overhaul of the coaching staff, including the head coach, wide receivers coach, and offensive coordinator. The influx of talent through transfers and a highly-rated recruiting class further clouded Alford’s future with the team. Despite these uncertainties, Alford’s departure leaves a void in the Orange’s experienced receiver lineup, a challenge compounded as other players explore transfer options.

In an unexpected twist, Alford took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his side of the story, revealing a conversation with the head coach about possibly transferring after graduation. “On Friday, I communicated with the HC that I was going to consider transferring after graduation in the spring. I was asked to reconsider,” Alford tweeted. The announcement of his dismissal came as a surprise to him, learned not through direct communication but via social media. Alford expressed his disappointment with how the situation was framed, emphasizing his dedication to the game and the program.

Despite the circumstances, Alford’s message was one of positivity and gratitude toward Syracuse Football. “I have nothing but love for Syracuse Football. I have enjoyed every minute of the last four years and have made incredible relationships with my teammates and coaches,” he stated, confirming his intention to continue his education at Syracuse until graduation and his eagerness for future opportunities in football.

As Syracuse Football moves forward, the program’s ability to adapt and evolve in the wake of Alford’s departure will be closely watched.

https://twitter.com/DamienAlford5/status/1757176148012814601

What Brad Brownell said after Clemson’s win at Syracuse

A look at what Clemson coach Brad Brownell said following his team’s 77-68 win at Syracuse on Saturday.

It was hard for Clemson coach Brad Brownell not to be happy after his team’s gutsy 77-68 victory at Syracuse on Saturday.

The win over the Orange marked the first time all season the Tigers (16-7 overall, 6-6 ACC) had won back to back games in conference play. After beating No. 3 North Carolina in Chapel Hill earlier in the week, Clemson made sure to avoid a letdown at the Carrier Dome.

The Tigers never trailed after the early going and had one of their better overall starts of the season, then withstood a second-half surge by Syracuse to close the game on a 17-8 run in the final 3:37.

Joe Girard led all scorers with 18 points and missed only two shots all afternoon in his return to Syracuse, where he spent four seasons under coach Jim Boeheim,

Here’s what Brownell said after the game.

On finishing strong down the stretch in back to back games:

“Obviously the free-throw shooting down the stretch was huge for our guys. Give Joe and Chase Hunter a ton of credit. It was kind of a strange game. Our starting unit did not guard well the first four minutes of either half. I thought our bench was terrific, giving us the jolt that we kind of needed. There’s been some games where those guys haven’t been able to help us and today they were big. That’s where the lead came from. RJ (Godfrey) was really good. I thought (Chauncey) Wiggins was good. Dillon (Hunter) was really good. I’m just proud of those guys.

“I give our older guys credit. I kind of got into them in a huddle midway through the second half. I was disappointed for a little bit because I thought we were just a little starry-eyed or what not. They thought it was going to be easy, but it’s not going to be easy. (Syracuse) was 11-1 up here. There was a huge crowd today, and they were fighting for their team. It gets loud in here, so we took a deep breath. PJ Hall had a great play off a dunk and then we had a great after-timeout play to Joe for a 3, but those were a couple of really good actions that got us some big baskets. Then defensively, we just kind of held on and held the ball against the (full-court) press.”

On Jack Clark’s performance (game-high 10 rebounds in 29 minutes):

“He did a good job on Chris Bell. When he was on Bell, he had maybe one mistake at the end of the game. The other times early on, he didn’t. Chris Bell is a hard cover because he’s so tall, and he shoots like he’s out of a phone booth. If you’re not in that phone booth with him, he just shoots over the top of you. Dillon was all over him one time, and he just shot on top of him. Dillon is 6-foot-4 and it still wasn’t tall enough. So I thought (Clark) did a good job of guarding. His presence with rebounding and even little things like passes against the press that you don’t think much about, he does them well. That’s certainly helped our team tremendously.”

On Joe Girard not letting his emotions affect him:

“I’m so proud of him. We’re trying to get him 12 shots a game and we run a bunch of different things, but when they put Judah Mintz on him and they just chase him everywhere, it’s like Reece Beekman from Virginia. Those dudes are panther-type athletes. Those dudes do an unbelievable job. They’re right on top of screens and they’re connected. It’s hard to break (Girard) free.

“To Joe’s credit, he did not take bad shots. He stayed within the offense. He moved and he accepted that sometimes he’s not going to get a shot. When they guard like that, sometimes it opens up room for other players. Chase Hunter has room to drive and has more space to post the ball. So just Joe being on the floor is significant from that (standpoint), but the efficiency is what it comes down to. Joe’s efficiency is so good: 5-for-6 (field goals), and then he makes all his free throws. There are a lot of guys that score 20 in games, but they take 20 shots to get them. Joe rarely does that. His poise down the stretch and the way he wanted the ball and helped us break press and deal with pressure, he was terrific.”

On getting past 21 turnovers:

“Our big guys just did not do a good job. Ian (Schieffelin) barely practiced Friday. He’s battling some stuff and even PJ, we had to sit him out two days. It’s hard when guys don’t practice, but you can’t simulate this kind of speed and athleticism. Maliq Brown is a tough hombre. I liked that kid for Syracuse. He plays hard and tough and has his hands on everything.

“It was hard for PJ to get comfortable, and I thought one of the moves he made at the end, one of the tough power moves, he multi-pivoted. That’s just a grown-man basket. That basket by PJ Hall, there are only three guys in our league that can make that play. It was a phenomenal play. It was tough all day and they were unrelenting in that they kept pressuring those big guys every second. We kept trying to do different things to try to move them around.”

WHAT’S NEXT: Clemson returns to the court Wednesday night when the Tigers host Miami at 7 p.m. EST at Littlejohn Coliseum. The game will be televised by ESPN2.

Joe Girard leads Clemson past Syracuse, 77-68

Clemson got 18 points from Joe Girard, who earned his 2,000th career point in his return to his Syracuse, and Clemson defeated the Orange, 77-68, at JMA Wireless Dome Saturday.

Clemson got 18 points from Joe Girard, who reached 2,000th career points in his return to Syracuse, and the Tigers defeated the Orange, 77-68, at JMA Wireless Dome Saturday.

The win marks the first time the Tigers (16-7 overall, 6-6 ACC) have posted back to back wins in conference play this season.

Girard was a big reason why. He made five of his six shots for the game, including four of five from 3-point range, to lead Clemson in scoring.

“I’m proud of him. He did not take bad shots. He stayed within the offense,” Clemson coach Brad Brownell said of Girard afterwards.

Clemson made 60 percent of its shots in Saturday’s contest. PJ Hall had 15 points, Ian Schieffelin added 11, and Chase Hunter finished with 10 in the Tigers’ victory — their first at Syracuse since 2016.

Similar to Tuesday’s win at No. 3 North Carolina, Clemson got out to a big lead early but had to withstand a second-half surge to hold on.

The Tigers used a 14-0 run in the first half to open up a 15-point lead at 27-12 when Girard sank a long 3-pointer near the under-8 media timeout. It was part of an 18-2 overall run by Clemson, which led 35-24 by halftime.

Syracuse (15-9 overall, 6-7 ACC) made their run in the second half, and when JJ Starling hit a fadeaway jumper with 3:37 left, the game was tied at 60-all. Clemson answered when Hall went right back down the floor and made a spin move for a layup to put the Tigers back on top.

Turns out, Clemson wouldn’t look back.

Hunter drove to the rim on the Tigers next possession to lay one in with 2:37 to play to make it 64-60. Girard then hit Schieffelin for a wide-open 3-pointer to push the lead to 67-60 with under two minutes to play. Schieffelin would hit another basket under heavy pressure with 1:31 left to up the lead to 69-61.

Hunter sank two foul shots to close things out for Clemson’s last points of the afternoon to cap the game’s scoring.

But it was Girard who stole the show in his return to his old stomping grounds. The fifth-year senior from Glens Falls, N.Y. spent fours seasons at Syracuse under legendary coach Jim Boeheim before transferring to Clemson after the 2023 season.

“Joe’s efficiency is so good,” Brownell said. “There are a lot of guys that score 20 points in games, but they take 20 shots to get them. Joe rarely does that, and his poise down the stretch and the way he wanted the ball helped us break press and deal with pressure. He was terrific.”

Syracuse shot just 39 percent in the game and had two costly scoring droughts. They went over six minutes without a basket in the first half as Clemson built its 15-point lead, then went 4:36 without a basket in the second half.

By contrast, Clemson had one of its best starts of the season. The Tigers made 57 percent of their first-half shots and out-rebounded Syracuse, 26-11. Hunter managed to get off a shot at the buzzer with just one-tenth of a second on the clock to close out the half.

Clemson ended the day with 41 rebounds to Syracuse’s 24.

UP NEXT: Clemson will return to action on Wednesday when they host Miami at 7 p.m. EST at Littlejohn Coliseum. The game will be televised by ESPN2. The two teams met back on January 3 in Miami, a 95-82 Hurricanes victory.

The Fran Brown Era at Syracuse could see early success

With Kyle McCord’s skill and Coach Fran Brown’s vision, Syracuse football is set for a landmark season, driven by a favorable schedule and a united goal to reshape their legacy.

Syracuse football could be on the brink of a seismic shift. Taking the reins for the Orange this season is none other than Kyle McCord, the former commander of the Ohio State offense. This transfer was a headline-grabber and a shock to many. McCord’s leap to Syracuse, mixed with a schedule that seems almost handpicked for success, tees up the Orange for what could be a banner year.

A gem from the 247Sports Composite, McCord’s five-star status isn’t just for show. His pivot to Syracuse, sealed during an official campus visit, cranks up the Orange’s offensive dial. Steering the Buckeyes to an 11-1 finish last season, McCord’s stats speak volumes: 3,170 yards, 24 TDs, and a 65.8% completion rate. Numbers like these placed him in the conversation for the top of the FBS quarterback heap.

At the helm for Syracuse is Fran Brown, the newly minted head coach. Brown’s not just about X’s and O’s; his recruiting prowess and deep Northeast roots are part of his DNA.

Brown’s coaching odyssey began at Paul VI Catholic High School. He swiftly moved through the ranks at Temple, where he first showcased his knack for transforming defensive backfields and his magnetic pull in recruiting circles.

His journey with Matt Rhule from Temple to Baylor only amplified his reputation as a top-tier recruiter and a defensive strategist. Returning to Temple, this time with added responsibilities as co-defensive coordinator, Brown further cemented his status in the coaching fraternity, even as head coaching opportunities teasingly danced around the edges.

During his tenure with Greg Schiano at Rutgers, Fran Brown experienced a transformative leap forward, setting the stage for his subsequent ascent into the national spotlight at Georgia. In this high-profile role, Brown’s recruiting skills and strategic coaching brilliance reached their zenith, ultimately contributing to a resounding National Championship triumph. This period of his career reached a pinnacle with Brown being honored as the nation’s premier recruiter by 247Sports, a testament to his profound impact on the field.

Brown is considered by many as one of the nation’s premier recruiters, possessing a unique talent for forging authentic connections with high school athletes and their families.

Now, as Syracuse’s 31st head coach, Brown brings more than just a playbook and recruiting strategies. He carries a legacy of soundness, a relentless pursuit of excellence, and a deep-rooted connection to the Northeast’s football fabric.

With the absence of conference heavyweights like North Carolina, Florida State, Clemson, and Louisville from the schedule, this is a chance for Syracuse and their first-year head coach to sharpen their game without the shadow of the conference giants looming over them. Coupled with portal newcomers like McCord, Edge Fadil Diggs, and Jackson Meeks at wide receiver, this could give the Orange early success.

Going into the season with McCord’s arm, Brown’s vision, and a schedule that might as well be a golden ticket, Syracuse and Fran Brown are not just dreaming of greatness in his first year; they’re on the cusp of it and reaching for it. The stage is set, the players are ready, and the Syracuse faithful are buzzing. As Coach Brown put it during his introduction as the Orange’s head coach, “I am competitive. I need to win at everything. You can’t chew gum faster than me. I’m going to win at everything, and we’re about to go shock the country.”

Former Ohio State QB Kyle McCord commits to Syracuse

The Buckeyes quarterback and former four-star prospect threw for 3,170 yards and 24 touchdowns last season.

Former Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord committed to play for Syracuse in 2024, he announced through social media on Sunday.

McCord started all 12 regular-season games for the Buckeyes in 2023. The junior ended the year with 3,170 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns, and six interceptions. His 83.7 QBR was the eighth-best in the country, according to ESPN.

The memory of his time with Ohio State will surely be defined by this season’s loss to Michigan, however. The Buckeyes passer completed 18 of his 30 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns, but he also threw two interceptions, including one on the potential game-winning drive to seal the defeat.

The New Jersey native had only thrown 58 passes across the 2021-22 seasons. He leaves the Buckeyes with a 66.5% completion percentage, 3,776 career passing yards, 27 passing touchdowns, and eight interceptions in three seasons. He announced he would enter the transfer portal on Dec. 4, less than 10 days after the Michigan loss.

McCord will join head coach Fran Brown, who was announced as the next Syracuse coach last month, for his first season.

The Orange won six games this season despite the No. 115 passing offense in the country. Syracuse threw for 173.7 yards per game, with 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions as a team. The team notably stopped throwing the ball late in the season, with 16 pass attempts or less in each of the final eight games. McCord aims to redefine the Orange passing attack in 2024.