“The way we played, it was totally disappointing,” Izzo told the Spartan Sports Network after the game. “It was an embarrassing loss to me. … The way we lost was totally embarrassing, and we’re going to have to do something about it.”

Much like they had in MSU’s previous games this season, turnovers again haunted the Spartans (6-3), who gave the ball away 17 times. However, the way the Orange (7-0) were able to handle MSU close to the basket was Izzo’s biggest concern following what he called one of the “more disappointing performances of his coaching career.”

“Sooner or later, boys have to become men,” Izzo said. “Right now, I’m going to call them out, I don’t think they’re playing like men.”

For the game, Syracuse scored 42 points in the paint, including 26 points in the first half, and also outrebounded the Spartans 31-26.

“Very disappointed with the play of our inside guys,” Izzo said. “We missed some good shots, missed some layups and didn’t guard very well.”

In the first two minutes, it looked as if MSU was going to have no trouble handling the Orange, as the Spartans jumped out to an early 5-1 lead that forced Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim to call a timout.

But after junior forward Delvon Roe made a layup to give the Spartans a 10-9 lead with 15:50 left in the first half, the Orange dominated the next five minutes. And after MSU fell behind, 23-13, Izzo was forced to call a timeout of his own.

Syracuse remained in control for much of the second half, as the Orange took a 38-29 lead into the break.

The only saving grace of the first half for the Spartans was junior guard Korie Lucious, who had eight points and four assists in the first 20 minutes to help keep MSU within striking distance.

The second half started with a 3-pointer by senior guard Durrell Summers, but on the ensuing Syracuse possession, Orange guard Kris Joseph was fouled on a 3-pointer and made all three free throws.

Syracuse would build the lead to as much as 12 before the Spartans showed a sign of life.

Capped by a 3-point play by sophomore center Derrick Nix, MSU went on a 12-2 run to make the score 48-46 with about 11 minutes remaining.

That would be the closest the Spartans would get, though, as Syracuse dominated the final 10-plus minutes to take the double-digit win.

Forward Rick Jackson, who nearly had a double-double at the half, led the Orange with 17 points and 16 rebounds. Summers quietly scored 18 points and brought in 6 rebounds to lead the Spartans, who Izzo said need to get much tougher and perform better against good teams as the season progresses.

“I just feel like we’re turning into a pretty-boy team, and we’re going to have to do something with toughness inside,” Izzo said “The effort we gave tonight was not acceptable.”