Nov 18, 2025; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange guard Kiyan Anthony (7) controls the ball against the Monmouth Hawks during the second half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images / Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

For the rest of regulation, Syracuse held Houston to just two points (both free throws) and zero baskets. On offense, it took several players to attack the Cougars’ elite defense and put the ball in the basket.

When Syracuse started hitting 3s after struggling to shoot, it could have spelled disaster for Kansas. When Tyler Betsey connected from deep with six minutes remaining to cut KU’s lead to 52-50, it brought the Orange the closest they had been since the opening minutes — and the Jayhawks had nothing going

Tre White had 15 points and 10 rebounds, Flory Bidunga added 13 points and 14 boards, and Kansas beat Syracuse 71-60 on Tuesday at the Players Era tournament.

Outside competing against a top-three opponent, the Orange had to do so without arguably their most valuable player. Up to this point of the season, Freeman had stuffed the stat sheet. Prior to Syracuse’s game versus the Cougars on Monday, he was top-two among the Orange in scoring, rebounding, assists and blocks.

Syracuse men’s basketball battled another Quad 1 opponent on Tuesday but couldn’t keep pace late, falling 71-60 to Kansas in its second game of the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. The Orange (4-2) trailed by double digits for much of the first half,

Houston wins a nail-biter against Syracuse, Gonzaga upsets Bama, Gracie Merkle has another big game, Iowa State won a close one and more from Monday's college basketball action.

It was a 25-21 Utah lead at the half as Syracuse shot 7-34 from the field in the first two quarters, but an 8-0 run in the third bracketed by 3s from Darius and Laila Phelia pushed the Orange in front 42-39 heading into the fourth.

Syracuse men’s basketball heads west for its biggest test of the young season, meeting No. 2 Houston at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas tonight as part of the Players Era Championship. Tipoff is set for 6 p.