Syracuse basketball’s hopes were high as star freshman J.J. Starling made his much-anticipated return to the court. After missing a stretch of games due to injury, Starling’s presence was expected to provide the spark that the Orange desperately needed to turn around their season. However, despite the comeback of their prized player, Syracuse was left humiliated by Florida State, suffering a crushing defeat on the road.
The game, which took place at the Donald L. Tucker Center in Tallahassee, saw Florida State take full control from the opening tip. Despite Starling’s return, Syracuse could not muster any sustained momentum throughout the contest. The Orange struggled to execute on both ends of the floor, showing no signs of the improvement fans were hoping for. Florida State, on the other hand, capitalized on every mistake, running up the score and putting Syracuse in an unrelenting hole that they were never able to climb out of.
Starling, while clearly showing flashes of his skill, looked rusty and out of rhythm in his first game back. His efforts were not enough to overcome the glaring deficiencies that have plagued Syracuse all season long. The team’s offense remained stagnant, unable to consistently score, while the defense looked disorganized, allowing Florida State to exploit mismatches and put up easy points.
The defeat marks another bitter blow to Syracuse’s season, as they continue to struggle in the highly competitive ACC. Fans who had hoped Starling’s return would signal a change in fortune were left disappointed, with the team’s future looking uncertain. Despite his potential, Starling alone cannot fix the deeper issues that continue to hold Syracuse back.
As the Orange prepare for their next contest, it’s clear that a lot more than just one player’s return is needed to turn things around. The team must find a way to build cohesion, improve their defense, and find consistent scoring if they are to salvage their season. With the ACC race heating up, Syracuse’s margin for error is rapidly shrinking.
