Syracuse Orange Stun California Golden Bears 107-100 Behind Nate Kingz's 27 Points

The Syracuse Orange, ranked 71st in the NET rankings, pulled off a stunning 7-point upset over the 57th-ranked California Golden Bears, winning 107-100. This victory marks a significant Quad 2 win for Syracuse, as they improve their record to 14-11. California, on the other hand, falls to 17-8, suffering a Quad 1 loss. The Orange were led by Nate Kingz, who scored 27 points, while Dai Dai Ames paced the Golden Bears with 23 points.

The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams scoring 35 points in the first period and 43 points in the second period. The Orange and Golden Bears were evenly matched, with Syracuse ultimately outscoring California by 7 points. The turning point in the game came when Syracuse went on a 16-9 run in the second half, taking a 10-point lead with 5 minutes remaining. California fought back, but the Orange held on for the 107-100 victory. The Golden Bears' 100 points were not enough to overcome the Orange's high-powered offense, which shot 55% from the field. Syracuse's 107 points were the most they have scored in a game this season, and it came at a crucial time, as they were facing a top-60 team in the NET rankings.

Nate Kingz was the star of the show for the Syracuse Orange, scoring 27 points on 10-15 shooting. He was aided by J.J. Starling, who added 21 points and 5 rebounds, and Donnie Freeman, who chipped in with 16 points and 6 rebounds. For the California Golden Bears, Dai Dai Ames led the way with 23 points, while John Camden added 21 points and 5 rebounds, and Chris Bell scored 18 points. The Orange's balanced attack, which featured three players scoring 16 or more points, was too much for the Golden Bears to handle. California's top performers were not enough to overcome the Orange's depth, as Syracuse's bench outscored California's 25-15.

The Syracuse Orange outshot the California Golden Bears 55% to 48% from the field, making 38-69 shots compared to California's 36-75. The Orange also outrebounded the Golden Bears 35-30, with Donnie Freeman and J.J. Starling combining for 11 rebounds. Syracuse committed 12 turnovers, while California had 15, which was a crucial difference in the game. The Orange's 16-9 run in the second half was the decisive factor, as they outscored the Golden Bears by 7 points in the final 10 minutes. California's 43% shooting from three-point range was not enough to overcome Syracuse's 52% shooting from inside the arc.

The CHD Scout model predicted a close game, with California winning by 0.2 points, but the actual result was a 7-point victory for the Syracuse Orange. This marks a significant miss for the model, as it failed to account for the Orange's high-powered offense and balanced attack. The model predicted a score of 74-74, but the actual score was 107-100, with Syracuse exceeding their projected total by 33 points. This game highlights the importance of considering multiple factors when predicting game outcomes, as the model's reliance on California's strong defense was insufficient.

This win is a significant boost to the Syracuse Orange's resume, as it marks a Quad 2 victory over a top-60 team in the NET rankings. The Orange improve their record to 14-11, while California falls to 17-8. The Golden Bears' loss drops them to 4-5 in Quad 1 games, while Syracuse improves to 2-5 in Quad 2 games. This game could have real consequences for the NCAA tournament, as the Orange are now more likely to be considered for an at-large bid. California, on the other hand, must regroup and focus on their remaining games to ensure a strong tournament seed.

The Syracuse Orange want to build on this momentum as they face their next opponent, while the California Golden Bears will aim to bounce back from this tough loss. The Orange's next game is scheduled for February 15th, while California's next game is set for February 14th. Both teams must be focused and prepared for their upcoming games, as the college basketball season is heating up and every game counts.