Adrian Autry Apologizes to Fans For Syracuse Basketball's Performance at Wake Forest

Syracuse basketball lost 99-70 Saturday night at Wake Forest in what was one of the worst performances of the season. Fans took to social media during and after the game to express embarrassment as well as frustration. Orange head coach Adrian Autry echoed those same sentiments in his opening statement of the postgame press conference. 

"I'd like to apologize to our fans, our university, for that performance," Autry said. "It's unacceptable. Won't be tolerated. Won't be allowed. Won't allow it."

It was a short, curt statement that accurately reflected what that was Saturday night. His tone and body language expressed a high level of frustration, as should be expected given the lack of competitiveness against the Demon Deacons. 

After that statement, the first quested asked him to elaborate about what was unacceptable. The question was asked by Syracuse.com's Donna Ditota. 

"The whole game," Autry said. "The whole game, Donna. Didn't play well. Didn't respond well. Didn't play together. Just didn't compete. That's never happened. It's happened twice this year. Too many times." 

That performance was not a one-off either. Syracuse has given up 60% or better shooting in back to back games and at least 80 points in three of the last four. That is not good for a team that is supposed to be good on the defensive end. In Syracuse's eight losses, seven have come by 15 points or more. Four by 20 or more. 

Since taking over as head coach, Autry has talked about the Orange Standard for the program and his team. They have not met that standard in several games this season.