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Syracuse’s season is off to a dream start. The Orange are a perfect 3-0 with an average winning margin of 36 points, the fourth-best in college basketball. It’s improved their EvanMiya ranking to No. 38, while KenPom has them at No. 48.

Like Binghamton, Delaware State and Drexel, Monmouth presents SU with another opportunity to secure a blowout win. The Hawks enter the JMA Wireless Dome with a 1-2 record, but according to their EvanMiya (No. 202) and KenPom (No. 234) rankings, they’re the best team Syracuse will face thus far.

That, of course, will quickly change once the Orange arrive in Las Vegas for the Player’s Era Festival to face No. 2 Houston on Nov. 24.

Here’s how our beat writers think Syracuse (3-0, Atlantic Coast) will fare against Monmouth (1-2, Coastal Athletic Association) Tuesday in its final tune-up before heading to Las Vegas:

Aiden Stepansky (3-0)
Go time
Syracuse 81, Monmouth 54

If you haven’t figured it out by now, Syracuse is pretty good. The Orange have defeated all three of their opponents by 30-plus points and skyrocketed their national status. A matchup against Monmouth is SU’s final opportunity before the Vegas gauntlet that awaits. Again, Syracuse will dominate.

The Orange proved three times now that their defense is their identity. Opponents are shooting just 16% from 3 and produced a 30.8% effective field goal mark — both the worst in the country. Monmouth certainly won’t be changing the trend. The Hawks have turned the ball over 16.7 times per game and shoot 33.3% from 3. Look for SU to attack early with a high press to get this contest over in a hurry.

What I, and every Syracuse follower, will be keying in on is J.J. Starling’s play. The senior guard has played just three minutes thus far after a hamstring injury and didn’t play versus Drexel after he was listed as a game-time decision. When I asked Adrian Autry on Saturday if it’s important for Starling to get some run before the Vegas trip, he said it is, because Starling makes the team whole.

I agree, though Starling should be limited to under 20 minutes to make sure he’s prepared yet not overworked to reaggravate the injury. An SU Athletics spokesperson confirmed Monday that Starling will be available. It’s officially go time. Take care of Monmouth, and get ready for what everyone’s been waiting for.

Cooper Andrews (3-0)
The night shift
Syracuse 85, Monmouth 56

Whoever scheduled this game for this time is really mean. You should not be allowed to start basketball games at 9 p.m. on the East Coast. Unless there’s a very pressing scheduling conflict. That’s not present here, but it still looks like it’ll be a late night for Aiden and me.

While we fellow scribes are built for late nights like these, I don’t think a Monmouth team that struggles in transition and gives the ball away like it’s a yard sale will have an easy time keeping its eyes open on Tuesday. Per KenPom, the Hawks’ 27.1% offensive turnover rate is the fifth-worst mark in the nation and their 15% caused turnover percentage is in the bottom 100 of Division I basketball. The Orange rank among the best in both categories.

It’s a mismatch Autry would love to exploit, and Syracuse will do so, pushing the pace en route to a fourth consecutive lopsided victory. Starling’s projected return will pay dividends for the Orange. I’d expect him to drop at least 15 points and get a few coast-to-coast buckets on backcourt steals. Though Monmouth’s excellent defense inside the arc — opponents shoot 36.9% from 2 versus the Hawks — is a bit concerning for SU, I don’t think that stat will hold up against William Kyle III. He’s too big and strong for Monmouth to contend with.

Tuesday will feature another Orange win, and a frozen pizza will be in my oven by 2 a.m.

Justin Girshon (3-0)
Ready to up the ante
Syracuse 82, Monmouth 55

While my fellow scribes will be preparing for a 9 p.m. tipoff in the JMA Wireless Dome, I’ll be comfortably watching from my couch with half of my attention on SU versus Monmouth and the other half on Kansas versus Duke. Beyond being a great Champions Classic showdown, the matchup is especially intriguing because it’s between one of the Orange’s ACC foes and one of their opponents in next week’s Players Era Festival.

Speaking of the Players Era Festival, Tuesday will further confirm that Syracuse is ready to up the ante in Las Vegas. The Hawks don’t pose the Orange much of a threat, and I foresee another blowout win before they head across the country.

What the matchup versus Monmouth should be all about is ensuring everyone — particularly Starling — is ready for Houston, Kansas and whoever else awaits next week. This will mark one last tune-up. Then, as my fellow scribe Aiden said, it’s time to see what Syracuse is really made of.

Published on November 17, 2025 at 10:26 pm