Syracuse Orange vs. Texas Longhorns Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 21st 2024

Preview and Prediction

J.J. Starling was the standout player in Syracuse's most recent match on Saturday, scoring a career-high 38 points in a 104-95 double-overtime victory against Youngstown State at home.

"Autry praised Starling's performance, stating, "That's the J.J. Starling we are familiar with. He is our go-to player."

Given Syracuse's struggles on defense and their difficulty in putting away weaker teams early in the season, they may need another 38-point game from Starling when they face off against Texas in the Legends Classic in New York on Thursday.

The positive news is that Starling has proven he is capable of delivering a stellar performance every time he steps onto the court. In the team's 3-0 start, the junior guard has averaged 21.3 points per game, the highest on the team, and has done so with impressive efficiency, shooting 55.6 percent from the field.

When asked about his strong start to the season, Starling humbly stated that he is simply doing what his team needs him to do.

"It's a new team, so I'm still trying to find my role," he said after the win against Youngstown State. "This game was a step in the right direction for my confidence. The coaches trusted me with the ball."

While Starling has been shining, the Longhorns (3-1) have relied on a more balanced effort since their season-opening loss to Ohio State. They have since dominated three weaker opponents in Austin, Texas, including a 89-43 victory over Mississippi Valley State on Saturday.

Arthur Kaluma, a transfer from Kansas State, and highly-touted freshman Tre Johnson each scored 18 points for Texas, who outscored the Delta Devils 56-20 in the second half to secure the win.

The Longhorns' offense has been impressive, averaging 89 points per game (compared to their opponents' 60) and shooting 52.9 percent from the field. They may have another big night against Syracuse's defense, which ranks 230th in adjusted defensive field-goal percentage according to kenpom.com.

"Our focus is always on taking it one game at a time," said Texas coach Rodney Terry. "I have a lot of respect for the Syracuse program. They are a well-coached and talented team. We are looking forward to traveling to the East Coast."

The only previous meeting between these two teams was in the 2003 Final Four in New Orleans, where Syracuse came out on top with a 95-84 victory before going on to win the national championship against Kansas.

PREDICTION

Syracuse Orange

Texas Longhorns