In a 65-60 nail-biter, @Cuse_MBB fell to @GTMBB. @Bespector and @JacksonH_52 had the call from Atlanta. https://t.co/ZK3MHXGUzP
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) February 18, 2024
After its biggest win of the season, Syracuse men’s basketball (16-10, 7-8 Atlantic Coast Conference) made just 16% of its threes in a 65-60 loss to Georgia Tech (11-15, 4-11 ACC). It’s the third time this season the Orange have hit less than 20% of their triples.
There was reason for optimism following its upset win over number 7 North Carolina on Tuesday. SU shot a season high 63% from the field. The Orange cut that split nearly in half in the encore. Syracuse made just 36.7% of its shots, its lowest since Thanksgiving.
It wasn't the encore @Cuse_MBB would've liked after its win over @UNC_Basketball on Tuesday. @JacksonH_52 and @bespector give their thoughts on Syracuse's 65-60 loss to @GTMBB.
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) February 18, 2024
🏀Dejecting loss
🏀Struggles from deep
🏀Poor rebounding pic.twitter.com/7QiX20Oimd
Many were dejected after the defeat, but perhaps none more than Syracuse guard JJ Starling. The sophomore was not shy to voice his frustration after such a drastic turnaround.
“I’m sure you can imagine this is probably like the most disappointing loss especially after a game where we played so good together,” Starling mused. “We keep taking these jumps, but we stay stagnant.”
One of the biggest differences between the North Carolina game and Georgia Tech game was the volume of three-point shots. The ‘Cuse went 8-17 from deep to unseat the Tar Heels. Despite shooting eight more triples against the Yellow Jackets, the Orange’s makes from beyond the arc were cut in half. SU head coach Adrian Autry doesn’t think his team is best suited to be taking 25 three-pointers.
“We shot a lot of threes,” said Autry after the loss. “That’s not a good recipe for us right now.”
When the Orange have tried to cook with that recipe recently, they metaphorically burn the kitchen down. SU has shot more than 20 threes in five of its last six games, and went 1-4 in those contests. If Syracuse shoots just 32% from three, the fifth worst in the ACC.
Those numbers would more than likely improve if more than two players netted threes against GT. Forward Chris Bell and guard JJ Starling each had two threes while the rest of the team went 0-11 from deep.
The last time Bell and Starling carried the three point load was against NC State (16-9, 8-6 ACC) three weeks ago. The duo was responsible for all seven of the Orange’s triples in the 77-65 win. Bell, Starling and the rest of the team must regroup for the rematch with the Wolfpack Tuesday at 7 p.m. WAER’s coverage begins with McClurg Remodeling Countdown to Tipoff at 6:30.