J.J. Starling starred in Syracuse’s most recent game on Saturday, putting up a career-high 38 points in a 104-95 double-overtime home win over Youngstown State.
“That’s the JJ Starling we know,” Orange coach Adrian Autry said. “He’s the guy for us.”
Given Syracuse’s struggles to defend and its inability to easily put lesser teams away early in the season, the Orange might need another 38 from Starling on Thursday night when they take on Texas in the Legends Classic in New York.
The good news is Starling appears to be capable of doing it any time he walks out on the court. In the team’s 3-0 start, the junior guard is averaging a team-high 21.3 points per game and is doing so efficiently, canning 55.6 percent of his shots from the field.
Asked why he is playing so well so far, Starling said he is just doing what the Orange need him to do.
“It’s a new team so I’m still trying to find my way,” he said after win over Youngstown State. “This game is a step forward in the right direction, obviously, in the confidence department. The coaches trusted me with the ball.”
While Starling has, well, starred, the Longhorns (3-1) have used a more balanced effort since a season-opening loss to Ohio State. They subsequently routed three straight outmatched foes in Austin, Texas, including an 89-43 blowout of Mississippi Valley State on Saturday.
Kansas State transfer Arthur Kaluma and prized freshman Tre Johnson each scored 18 points for Texas, which buried the Delta Devils in the second half, outscoring them 56-20.
The Longhorns’ offense is averaging 89 points (against 60 for opponents) and shooting 52.9 percent from the field. Texas could enjoy a big night against a Syracuse defense that is 230th in adjusted defensive field-goal percentage, per kenpom.com.
“We’re always going to take the one-game-at-a-time approach,” Texas coach Rodney Terry said. “I’ve got a lot of respect for the Syracuse program. They’re very well-coached and a really good team. We’re looking forward to going to the East Coast.”
The only previous meeting of the programs came in the 2003 Final Four in New Orleans, where the Orange took a 95-84 win before beating Kansas for the national championship.