One word to describe Syracuse right now is inconsistent. Chris Bell also falls in that category. The forward hasn’t displayed the same results as he did earlier in the season.
Bell scored double-digit points in six of the first nine games of the year. Those contests included 25 points against Colgate when he made a career-high six three-pointers. He backed that up with a 20-piece against LSU and notched six triples, again.
The sophomore was nailing three-pointers earlier this season, but his production has slightly dropped off since, especially in ACC play.
Bell converted 41% from downtown through the Cornell contest. Since then, he’s shot 37% from beyond the arc. Those numbers are solid in totality, however it’s the inconsistency in which he’s been making his shots.
Let’s take a look at Syracuse’s five ACC losses: Virginia, Duke, North Carolina, Florida State, and Boston College.
Out of those five losses, Bell scored double-digit points in just one of them. He scored 13 points and made three triples versus UNC. Bell combined for 14 points in the other four games.
What does this infer?
Syracuse relies on Bell’s offensive production more than one might consider. The backcourt of Judah Mintz and JJ Starling is meshing, and it’s starting to be a reliable duo. The problem is who plays well every game other than those two. Bell is a big piece of SU, and the stats back it up.
The Orange live and die by the three-point line.
Yes, the defense has been pretty reliable for Syracuse. However, on the offensive end, it’s the three-pointers that defy how far SU can go.
With 10 ACC games remaining, Syracuse needs its offense.
More importantly, the Orange need Bell to nail three-pointers and find his groove again. SU needs consistency the rest of the way.
