Syracuse men's basketball had a rocky start to the season. However, after a dominant 83-64 win over Georgetown, it looks like the team has found a groove. On the other hand though, the team who hasn’t found a rhythm this season is Monmouth.
After all four of Monmouth's top scorers graduated last year, this team was left in shambles. Monmouth is 1-9 on the season and it's been a tough road for the Hawks, whose only win this year was on the road against Manhattan. The leading scorer for the Hawks is junior forward Myles Foster. The Brooklyn native is averaging 12 points and 2 assists per game. Foster and freshman guard Jack Collins are the only players on the team who average double digit points. The team as a whole is averaging a disappointing 62 points per game and are losing games by an average of 19 points. This team also struggles at the free throw line as they make only 60% of their shots from the charity stripe.
Monmouth not only struggles on the offensive side, but the defensive side as well. The Hawks rank deadlast in the CAA in points allowed per game. Monmouth University’s athletic teams used to play in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). However, this fall the school announced that they would be moving to the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), which is the conference the mens basketball plays in right now.
For the Orange, it has been the seniors leading the way for the Syracuse offense. Center Jesse Edwards is averaging 15 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks per game. On top of that, star shooting guard Joe Girard III is also averaging 15 points per game and is shooting 35% from beyond the arc.
LISTEN: Jesse Edwards has been one of SU's most impactful players this season, but @iunzy_ only gives the Flying Dutchman a B+ on the year. pic.twitter.com/JAIwdXiyzB
— WAER Sports Talk (@WAERSportsTalk) December 7, 2022
Another star player for the 'Cuse this year has been freshman point guard Judah Mintz. The Maryland native had 15 or more points in his first 5 games wearing orange.
“I think he makes his presence known when he gets to the basket, that's what he does,” Boeheim said.
As of late, Mintz has only put up double-digit points once in his past four games. Additionally, Mintz hasn’t made a 3 pointer in a game since Syracuse’s 80-68 loss to Colgate.
LISTEN: After shooting 0-for-3 from beyond the arc in today's 62-61 victory at Notre Dame, @DougLattuca says that SU guard Judah Mintz "should not shoot the ball from three" moving forward. The freshman entered today shooting 20% from distance. pic.twitter.com/qjdBRongRw
— WAER Sports Talk (@WAERSportsTalk) December 3, 2022
Mintz has all the upside in the world and has the potential to be the best and most consistent offensive weapon for the Orange. However, in this upcoming matchup between Monmouth, the freshman shouldn’t have a problem attacking the rim and scoring early.
“He really plays like a point guard, he can score and we need him to score,” Boeheim said.
Gametime between the Orange and the Big Red is scheduled for 3 p.m. WAER’s coverage begins at 2:30 with McClurg Team Countdown to Tipoff.