Syracuse’s stay in the ACC Tournament didn’t last long after a last-second shot by Wake Forest gave the Demon Deacons a 77-74 win Wednesday afternoon in a second-round game.
Syracuse senior guard Joe Girard III had a chance to give the Orange the lead in the final moments, but his shot hit of the front of the rim. Wake’s Daivien Williamson then nailed a three-pointer in the final second that sealed the loss for the Orange.
Since entering the ACC in 2013, the Orange has never advanced past the ACC Tournament quarterfinals.
Freshmen Judah Mintz and sophomore Benny Williams were the high scorers for the Orange, notching 18 points each.
The game was a rematch of a Saturday contest at the JMA Wireless Dome that saw Syracuse beat Wake Forest 72-63.
Coach Jim Boeheim said he thought it the team played well, but the defense could have been stronger.
“Our defense was really good. It broke down a little bit when we miss. We had quite a few-minute stretch starting the second half where we couldn’t score and I think it affected our defense a little bit,” said Boeheim.
In a postgame press conference, when Boeheim was asked about whether he would return for a 48th year on the bench, he said his future with the program was up to the university and he hopes they can come to an agreement. Hours later, the university announced that Boeheim's career as coach was over.
Syracuse’s season is likely done with projections leaving them outside of any postseason tournaments.
The Demon Deacons advanced to the quarterfinals, where they play top-seeded Miami Thursday at noon on ESPN.