‘Special’: New coach Autry wins Syracuse debut

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  • Basketball recruiting insider.
  • Joined ESPN in 2014.
  • Graduate of University of Delaware.

Syracuse’s post-Jim Boeheim era began on Monday with a sight that became really familiar under the long time head coach: A win.

In his first game at the helm, Adrian “Red” Autry– who played under Boeheim and was an assistant on his staff for 12 years before being called his successor– guided the Orange to an 83-72 win over New Hampshire.

“I have not actually had a lot of time to consider it,” Autry informed press reporters after the game. “I’m sure I’ll have more ideas about it this evening. My dad turned up, so that was unique. I had some good friends up. Great deal of texts before the game. Texts now. I make sure it’ll all sink in. I was truly thrilled we held it together and got away with the win.”

Syracuse jumped out to a 22-point lead in the first 10 minutes of the game, but New Hampshire cut it to six early in the 2nd half after an 8-0 run.

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Paradoxically, it was a switch to Syracuse’s famous 2-3 zone that enabled the Orange to retreat for the win. Autry said in the offseason he prepared to play man-to-man, a stark change from groups coached by Boeheim, who said last March he was “thrilled to be retired” after 47 seasons. But on Monday, Autry needed to bring it back out.

“Thank god for the 2-3 zone,” he said. “We in fact started practicing the zone sometime last week. We knew that we would require it. We were fortunate we got 6 or seven guys that understand the zone, that played it last year. So that helped us out a lot.”

Star guard Judah Mintz finished with 20 points regardless of dealing with foul trouble, while Justin Taylor had 14 points, 6 boards and 3 assists. Notre Dame transfer JJ Starling struggling shooting the ball, scoring 10 points and going 3-for-13 from the field.

After the game, Autry discussed how various the game experience was in his brand-new role.

“I prepared the very same,” he said. “The greatest distinction, undoubtedly, is I’m the head coach. Needed to call a couple timeouts, try to collect the guys. The something when I was with Coach, Coach let us be involved a lot. So it wasn’t that much of a distinction, it’s simply me being the head coach, which is a big distinction. It was interesting. I was excited.”

“It’s excellent if it works,” he included with a laugh. “I make sure in some cases it’ll work and in some cases it won’t. However that’s what I signed up for and I’m thrilled for it.”

Autry won’t have much time to indulge in the glow of his first career win; Syracuse is back in action Wednesday versus Canisius.