Boston College Eagles vs Syracuse Orange Picks and Predictions January 11th 2025

Syracuse Happy to Have J.J. Starling Back as It Visits Boston College

Syracuse and Boston College both aim to secure their second ACC victory of the season when they clash Saturday in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

Syracuse (7-8, 1-3 ACC) welcomed back its star guard J.J. Starling last week after a seven-game absence due to a broken hand. Starling, who leads the Orange in scoring with 19.0 points per game, made an immediate impact, scoring 12 points in a loss to Florida State and following it up with 21 points in Tuesday’s 62-55 win over Georgia Tech.

Catch Up On The Sports Buzz With Fresh Blog Posts Today!

“J.J. is big-time,” Syracuse coach Adrian Autry said. “He’s one of the best guards in this league and one of the best guards in college basketball. If you followed us through the stretch without him and having him back now, you can see the difference and how important he is for us.”

Syracuse’s Key Challenges

The Orange may be without freshman forward Donnie Freeman, who missed Tuesday’s game with a lower leg injury and is listed as day-to-day. Freeman has been a key contributor, averaging 13.4 points and leading the team with 7.9 rebounds per game. His ability to stretch defenses as one of Syracuse’s best 3-point shooters (37.5 percent) is also missed when he’s out.

“Donnie does a lot for us,” Autry said. “He’s one of our best 3-point shooters, so that’s one of the things that we miss.”

Boston College’s Struggles

Boston College (9-6, 1-3 ACC) is looking to capitalize on its 6-3 home record to snap a rough patch. The Eagles are led by Donald Hand Jr., who tops the team in scoring (14.3 points per game), rebounding (7.3), and 3-pointers made (24).

Hand’s consistent production has been supported by Chad Venning (12.3 points) and Elijah Strong (10.8 points), but Boston College has struggled with efficiency. The Eagles rank last in the ACC in field-goal percentage (42.9 percent).

Venning had a strong showing in their last outing, posting 19 points and eight rebounds in an 85-64 loss to Georgia Tech. Following the defeat, BC coach Earl Grant emphasized the need to refocus and address key areas of improvement.

“You have to go back and work at it,” Grant said. “Get the repetitions in on the things you need to drill, and continue to get the guys to understand how we have to play to win. What tempo do we have to play at. … Don’t get discouraged and fix the things we have to fix.”

Ready to Bet on College Hoops? Check out NCAAB basketball picks today and bet with confidence.

Keys to the Game

1. J.J. Starling’s Impact: Starling’s ability to drive the offense will be crucial for Syracuse, especially if Freeman remains sidelined.
2. Rebounding Battle: With Freeman possibly out, Syracuse needs contributions on the boards to counter Boston College’s Donald Hand Jr. and Chad Venning.
3. Boston College’s Shooting Woes: The Eagles must improve their shooting efficiency to contend with a Syracuse defense that thrives on forcing tough shots.

Matchup Outlook

With Starling back in action, Syracuse has regained a key playmaker. However, Boston College’s home-court advantage and interior presence could make this a tight contest. Both teams are desperate for momentum in the competitive ACC, setting the stage for an intense battle.