Observations from Syracuse’s win vs. Monmouth: Starling back, 3-point inconsistency
In Syracuse's win over Monmouth, the Orange narrowly outrebounded the Hawks 36-35. Our beat writer has more observations from the victory. Joe Zhao | Senior Staff Photographer
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Syracuse’s 2024-25 season was full of negative history. The Orange posted their worst record since the 1968-69 season in a down year for the program. Through three games a year later, SU is making the good kind of history.
The Orange’s blowout wins over Binghamton, Delaware State and Drexel marked their first time winning their first three games by 30-plus points since the 1985-86 season. All came without J.J. Starling, SU’s leading scorer from a year ago.
In Starling’s return to action on Tuesday, Syracuse captured another victory despite Monmouth nearly pulling off an improbable upset. SU kept its undefeated streak alive despite a 19-of-33 day at the charity stripe, and now prepares for a pivotal stretch in Las Vegas next week.
Here are some observations from Syracuse’s (4-0, Atlantic Coast) 78-73 win over Monmouth (1-3, Coastal Athletic Association):
J.J. watch
Syracuse made it look like it didn’t need Starling, but his 17.8 points per game led the Orange a year ago. He returned Tuesday after missing most of his senior campaign thus far. Starling played 26 minutes against Monmouth while scoring 11 points on six shot attempts.
The Orange drew up the first play for Starling, as he drove right to left and missed a hook shot. He wasn’t involved too much and was substituted out at the 16:26 mark for Kiyan Anthony. Starling reentered with 12:26 and played next to Bryce Zephir and Anthony. He promptly picked up his second foul 20 seconds in.
Starling didn’t take another shot until the 6:36 mark. It’s a far cry from his 16 attempts from the field per game a year ago, though it was his first time playing a full game with SU’s reshaped roster. A floater got Starling on the board, a part of an aggressive stretch where he moved the ball quickly and made the extra pass.
The aggressiveness went up a notch in the second half with an and-1 on Syracuse’s first possession. He then turned away a floater attempt before taking a quick rest. He came back in but didn’t do much offensively. A transition layup added to his totals and he swished a 3-pointer, his first jumpshot attempt.
With many more options, Starling wasn’t expected to take nearly as many shots as his junior season. He wasn’t in the closing lineup.
And just six shot attempts on the day was unlike the Starling of old, and begs the question of how the Orange can utilize his skill set in their new equation.
Eyes on the 3 ball
One of Syracuse’s only issues this year has come from beyond the arc. The Orange entered Tuesday’s matchup 19-of-61 (31%). The mark is the second-lowest in the ACC, trailing just Boston College.
Part of the struggles were in the inconsistencies of Oregon State transfer Nate Kingz. The sharpshooter shot 44.6% from 3 last season but went just 2-for-12 in his first three games at Syracuse.
Kingz took a deep 3 early from the left wing and swished it. Point guard Naithan George then hit a triple from the top of the key to build a 9-6 lead. George pulled the trigger again from the left corner and Kingz tried another deep one, but both missed.
Anthony and Freeman both attempted 3s but missed the mark. A barrage by Kingz, George and Freeman put the Orange at 3-of-10 at the half. Kingz was 1-of-4. SU didn’t attempt a 3 until almost four minutes into the second frame and Anthony swished it. Kingz came off the screen and took a slick pass from Starling for another.
SU finished 7-of-17 from 3 as Kingz picked it up in the second half. The triple seems to be a swagger thing for Kingz. He clearly has the ability. It’s just a matter of executing. And as Kingz goes from beyond the arc, so will the Orange.
Rebounding disparity
When the Orange turned a close game against Drexel into a blowout on Saturday, Autry and multiple players partially credited the switch to SU’s rebounding. Against Monmouth, Syracuse put up a horrid display on the glass.
The Orange were outrebounded 20-17 in the first half, and at one point, it was 13-4. Hawks guard Cornelius Robinson Jr. corralled six while no Syracuse player tallied more than three. Monmouth’s work on the offensive glass created multiple second chances, which turned into 3-pointers and kept the game within reach in the first half.
As Syracuse brought in more rebounds on the defensive end, it pulled away in the process. Freeman captured seven defensive rebounds to start the transition and push the pace. Against Drexel, the Orange finished with three less rebounds. Tuesday was a plus-one margin.
Rotational notes
With Starling back in the lineup and Tyler Betsey out due to a left ankle injury, SU’s rotations were altered slightly compared to the first three games. Anthony was the first player off the bench and eventually played in a peculiar lineup involving Starling and Zephir.
Betsey had a walking boot on his left foot, and to replace his minutes, the Orange added to Sadiq White’s usage. When Freeman went out of the game, Akir Souare added size with two key blocks.
The usage of Anthony will be honed throughout the season. The son of an all-time great, Anthony showed off his own skillset in Starling’s absence. The return of Starling certainly makes SU more skilled, but throws a wrench in the development of Anthony at the same time.
George came out of the game less than two minutes into the second frame in favor of Zephir. Anthony entered for Starling and quickly knocked down a 3. When Starling reentered, the combination added some defensive question marks — the Hawks went right at them to cut into the deficit, led by Justin Ray’s game-high 25 points.
Betsey’s boot isn’t a good sign entering Vegas. His subtraction forces Autry into new combinations, with the early results providing a mixed bag.
