Last night was rough for Syracuse basketball. Sorry, that’s an understatement. The ‘Cuse was embarrassed by #3 Tennessee. Without JJ Starling, the offense looked extremely stagnant. JaQuan Carlos isn’t a scorer. He never has been and Adrien Autry has said that he doesn’t need to be one (I don’t understand how you can have a starter at the power 5 level who isn’t a big threat to score). Lucas Tayor just doesn’t have it offensively right now, as good as he may be on defense. Against the Vols, SU’s starting backcourt had a whopping seven points. Again, I know Starling was out but that is just unacceptable and that isn’t a way to win basketball games.
Elijah Moore has shown that he is the best pure scorer on this team over the last two games. The freshman is the best pure shooter on this team. He is a lights out three point shooter and can create for himself better than anyone else on the squad. Dan Papillo gave him an A+ for a reason in his report card after yesterday’s disaster. His defense still has to improve but he’s a freshman and that’ll just take time. He is too good of a scorer to now be on the floor.
What I really don’t understand was Autry’s in game decisions with Moore. Especially coming out of halftime, it made absolutely no sense for his best offensive player to be on the bench. The freshman led the game in scoring and had double the amount of points of any other SU players. Yet, Lucas Taylor who didn’t even attempt a shot went back on the floor and the Orange fell apart. In the national championship year, Jim Boeheim started two freshmen, Carmelo Anthony and Gerry McNamara. Red Autry needs to do the same now and start Donnie Freeman and Elijah Moore.
