After dropping its first three ACC matchups, Syracuse basketball hosts Georgia Tech for a mid-week battle. Read more for a full Syracuse vs Georgia Tech prediction and preview.
General Information:
Teams: Syracuse (6-8, 0-3) vs. Georgia Tech (8-7, 2-2)
Tip-Off: 7 p.m.
Watch: ACC Network
Latest on Georgia Tech basketball:
The Yellow Jackets head into Upstate New York on a three-game hot streak, defeating Boston College and Notre Dame for their first and second conference wins of the season. Georgia Tech lost its first ACC game to No. 5 Duke, 82-56, back on Dec. 21.
Head coach Damon Stoudamire is in his second season with Georgia Tech, trying to beat last season’s 14 conference wins. The Yellow Jackets had three AP Top 25 wins in the 2023-24 season, and beat five programs that reached March Madness. However, Georgia Tech didn’t make it past the first round of the conference tournament last year.
This season, Georgia Tech has four players averaging at least 10 points per game: Lance Terry, Baye Ndongo, Javian McCollum and Naithan George. Stoudamire’s roster likes to share the ball, making quick passes and they’ll rely on Terry to shoot long distance.
Latest on Syracuse basketball:
Syracuse basketball has lost four of its last five games, including all other Power 4 opponents. Its most recent was a 90-74 loss at Florida State, after the Orange and Seminoles were just a point off from each other at halftime.
Syracuse just got its top scoring guard JJ Starling back from injury, giving the team a small boost offensively despite the loss on Saturday evening. Starling scored 12 points in his return, behind Chris Bell’s 18 points and a double-double from freshman Donnie Freeman.
Starling was out with a broken hand that occurred during a practice in late November. He’s remained Syracuse’s leading scorer despite the injury, averaging 18.7 points per game and scored at least 10 points in every game this season.
Lucas Taylor and Kyle Cuffe Jr. have both turned up the Orange’s offense in Starling’s absence, with the duo coming in off the bench over the last seven games. Cuffe Jr. has averaged 8.8 points per game, while Taylor has reached 10 points in the last two games.
Defense, however, will be Syracuse’s biggest focus — despite it being the team’s biggest struggle. The Orange have allowed nearly 80 points per game this season, while only scoring 76 points per game.
Limiting Georgia Tech’s Terry from three will be important, but Syracuse’s defense also has to be mindful of the Yellow Jackets’ mid-range shots. The Orange lead the conference in rebounds, averaging 38.4 per game, but taking away opportunities for triples and long doubles could make the biggest impact in the game’s outcome.