Syracuse’s first-ever ACC showdown with a West Coast team didn’t go as planned, as the Orange stumbled to a tough 70-61 loss to Stanford on Wednesday night. Despite a late rally, Syracuse’s disastrous start proved too much to overcome, leaving fans with more questions than answers. Let’s break down the key takeaways from a game full of highs and lows:
1. Slow Start Digs a Deep Hole for Syracuse
The Orange couldn’t have started worse. A brutal 0-7 shooting stretch and four turnovers in their first 11 possessions left them scrambling. Stanford capitalized with a scorching 17-0 run, jumping out to a 25-2 lead before Syracuse finally found their rhythm. The defense stepped up late, and a 20-4 run cut the deficit to nine by halftime. But the damage was done – the slow start sealed their fate.
2. J.J. Starling Struggles to Find His Groove
Syracuse’s star player, J.J. Starling, couldn’t break through Stanford’s defense. After a rough outing against Louisville, Starling was held to just 7 points on 3-16 shooting, including a dismal 1-7 from beyond the arc. With defenses locking in on him, Syracuse needs their leading scorer to step up if they hope to turn things around.
3. Carlos Shines as a Surprising Spark
In a game where Syracuse desperately needed someone to step up, Jaquan Carlos delivered a career-high 16 points off the bench, going perfect from the field (6-6) and knocking down both his three-pointers. His performance kept the Orange in it, providing the offensive jolt the team so badly needed after a sluggish start.
4. Turnovers Continue to Haunt Syracuse
Once again, Syracuse couldn’t avoid a turnover disaster, coughing up the ball 14 times compared to just 9 for Stanford. The Cardinals outscored the Orange 19-9 off turnovers, a crucial factor in the final score. Despite a strong defensive effort in the second half, Syracuse’s possession struggles remained a major issue.
With a lot to clean up, the Orange will need to regroup fast as they push forward in the ACC.
