Omaha, Neb. -- There were plenty of reasons why the Syracuse basketball team fell 69-65 to Duke in the Sweet 16 in Omaha on Friday night, ending a remarkable run and concluding a season of resiliency.
Syracuse turned the ball over too often early and missed some shots late. Syracuse freshman Oshae Brissett didn't get started until the second half. Duke freshman Gary Trent Jr. made a clutch shot and two clutch free throws. And most importantly, Duke had Marvin Bagley III and the Orange did not.
But Syracuse, as it has all season, refused to go away, making things difficult for Duke until the final moments and leading to one final late-game clock management decision.