Not much has gone right for Syracuse this season, but the Orange have a chance to sweep their season series with Boston College when the Eagles pay a visit Saturday.
The Orange (10-13, 4-8 Atlantic Coast Conference) have lost four of their last five games, including an 83-54 rout by No. 2 Duke on Wednesday.
In addition to seeing the Blue Devils shoot 56.6 percent from the floor, the problems for Syracuse included poor shooting (6 of 23 from 3-point range), turnovers (14) and an inability to get to the free-throw line (four attempts).
“The biggest thing is, we have to do a better job of playing longer consistently,” Syracuse coach Adrian Autry said. “I know we’re heading in the right direction, and we’ll be fine.”
One of this season’s bright spots for the Orange came on Jan. 11 at Boston College, when Syracuse pulled away late for a 79-71 victory. J.J. Starling scored 20 of his 26 points in the second half and Eddie Lampkin Jr. posted a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.
BC will need to be better from 3-point range than it was that day (4 of 16), plus the Eagles will hope for more than six points on 2-for-11 shooting from their reserves.
The Eagles (10-12, 2-9) have lost seven of their last eight games, including the first matchup with the Orange.
Boston College was throttled by Louisville 84-58 on Wednesday despite 19 points from Donald Hand Jr.
Chad Venning, the team’s second leading scorer at 12.8 points per game, missed the contest with a foot injury.
“I don’t think it’s any major issue with his foot, but something’s going on there,” said Eagles coach Earl Grant, who added that “we didn’t play well enough to win the game. Simple.”
Syracuse, meanwhile, continues to play without Donnie Freeman, its second-leading scorer at 13.4 points.
The Orange have won 12 of the last 13 meetings between the teams.
–Field Level Media
