It wasn’t pretty, but Syracuse got the job done against Georgia Tech for their first ACC win this season amid the team’s worst start since 1968, when the Orange began the year 4-10.
Syracuse pulled out a 62-55 win over the Yellow Jackets for just its second win in six games, improving to 7-8 to rebound from a 90-74 blowout loss to Florida State in its last outing. In a matchup where both teams struggled offensively, the Orange used a 12-2 run with seven minutes to play and some clutch free throws down the stretch to seal the win, which was Syracuse’s first over a power-five team.
J.J Starling: A+
It’s a fact: The Orange are a more complete team with Starling on the court.
Any college basketball team would be worse without its starting point guard, but the junior guard was excellent in his second game back from a broken left hand, dropping a game-high 21 points. Starling also grabbed five rebounds, even adding two blocks.
He scored 13 of his 21 points in the second half, hitting two big free throws with 27 seconds left to ice the game for Syracuse after Georgia Tech cut the deficit to three points. Considering how much of a heavy burden Starling shoulders on offense, the Orange will only go as far as he takes them this season, so performances like this will be crucial if Syracuse wants to finish the back half of the year on a high note.
Turnovers and Three-Point Shooting: D+
The only reason why this isn’t an F is because Syracuse won the game, but it doesn’t change the fact that the Orange have struggled to shoot the ball and avoid turnovers all season.
Syracuse is averaging 12.7 turnovers per game and has now committed 36 of them over its last two games. That’s not a recipe for winning basketball, and it’s something that will continue to hold the team back until something changes.
The three-point shooting woes with this team are arguably more frustrating than its inability to take care of the ball because the Orange have shown they’re capable of spacing the floor well. In its last game against Florida State, the team shot 40% from deep and hit 10 threes, but only made 4 three-pointers against Georgia Tech on an inefficient 20%. That inconsistency feels symbolic of Syracuse’s season so far, and it’s why the Orange have struggled to string together wins against quality opponents.
First Five Minutes: A
Speaking of inconsistency, the Orange have looked like different teams in each half. At times it’s been a solid first half followed by a total collapse in the second half, or a brutally slow start that forces Syracuse to play catch-up for the entire game. While the offense struggled, the game plan for the Orange was clear, and they stuck to it for all 40 minutes.
Georgia Tech came into the game shooting over 34% from deep, so Syracuse limited the three-pointer as much as possible and forced the Yellow Jackets to beat them in the paint. That didn’t work out well for Georgia Tech, who shot 27% from the free throw line while the Orange outrebounded them 45-36. When the Yellow Jackets did shoot from beyond the arc, they were low-percentage attempts that were heavily contested.
Being able to execute a clear game plan for 40 minutes is something Syracuse has struggled with, but if the team’s success against Georgia Tech can be replicated against other opponents, the Orange should be able to climb out from the bottom of the ACC.
