The state of Syracuse men’s basketball this season continues to revolve around inconsistency. Or perhaps, one could say consistency when it comes to losing ACC games. Aside from the mess that the Orange are in at the moment, guard JJ Starling is having a solid season, despite some half-to-half inconsistencies.
Starling has been in a strange flow lately. The junior posted 11 points in the first half of Syracuse’s recent loss to Pitt, but then scored just three points in the second half to finish with 14.
A similar trend occurred last Saturday, though reversed, when Starling scored only two points in the first half against North Carolina, but exploded for 20 points in the second half to bring SU back into the game, although it ended up losing by six.
Additionally, in both contests against Boston College, Starling displayed lopsided performances in each half.
He scored 20 of his 26 points in the second half of the first matchup with the Eagles in January. In the second meeting, the Baldwinsville native scored 14 of his 28 points (including overtime) in the second half alone.
Aside from the loss to Pitt, Starling had three straight 20-point performances. He’s been consistent in his overall game totals. However, one could argue that Starling’s in-game inconsistencies had contributed to Syracuse’s downfall in some games.
At times, he’s gone off in the first half, only to watch his squad blow a second half lead. Other times, Starling and the Orange get off to a slow start, and then by the time he starts to heat up, the game clock runs out.
In a season filled with inconsistency, Starling needs to be more consistent for a full 40 minutes.
Syracuse doesn’t play again until next Wednesday when it hosts NC State at 7:00 PM.
