Syracuse basketball hits rock bottom as Adrian Autry era runs its course

All that Syracuse Orange basketball fans can do right now is hope that the headline is right, that this really is rock bottom for SU.

Because it could actually get worse. And that's a scary thought as the Adrian Autry era of Syracuse hoops tumbles toward its inevitable conclusion.

The Orange went on the road Tuesday night and were 10.5-point underdogs at North Carolina State, so the fact that they lost 88-68 isn't all that surprising.

But the margin was expected so wide because Syracuse had already dropped three in a row heading into the night. They've lost any semblance of national respect.

It's the first four-game skid under Autry, and it's clear that this ship is sinking with no lifeboats in sight.

Shoot, the best player on the floor Tuesday night was Quadir Copeland, who began his college career at Syracuse and called the matchup with the Orange "personal" before going for 19 points and nine assists.

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Syracuse is home on Saturday against Notre Dame, and the Orange better win that one. Because then it's clashes with ranked North Carolina and Virginia teams.

Autry and the Orange haven't made the NCAA Tournament in his tenure as head coach. It won't be happening this season barring a miracle.

And at this point, fans are all asking the same question: Is this it for Autry?

There's plenty of discussion to be had about who the replacement should be, whether it's another Orange alum (like Gerry McNamara) or someone with no Syracuse connections whatsoever.

This isn't a team devoid of talent. The Orange have high-level ability both in the starting lineup and off the bench.

They showed it in an early-season upset of ranked Tennessee on a night that made the Carrier Dome rock like it did in the good 'ole days.

Clearly, though, these aren't the good 'ole days any longer.

Jim Boeheim isn't walking through that door. All Carmelo Anthony can do is watch courtside as his freshman son Kiyan tries to make an impact off the bench. McNamara isn't shooting 3s -- he's down the road coaching at Siena.

Long-tenured program greats like Brandon Triche, or CJ Fair, or Tyus Battle, or any other number of special names in recent years -- they're all gone. Those days are gone.

And the only way to get them back will be to claw back from rock bottom, whether this is it or it gets even worse first.

Syracuse may only get one clear path to return to relevance again. It won't be this season, but the foundation for that return better start getting laid soon, while there's still something worth saving.

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