After Syracuse basketball beat Drexel by 30 points on Saturday afternoon in Philadelphia, head coach Adrian Autry provided relatively encouraging updates on senior shooting guard J.J. Starling and sophomore forward Tyler Betsey.
Starling, a preseason All-ACC second-team selection, has only played three minutes so far in the 2025-26 season, and that was in the Orange's first game against Binghamton at home. He is dealing with a lower-body injury.
Autry, in his post-game press conference, said he thinks that Starling is "really close" to returning to the team's line-up. "I expect him back ... pretty soon," Autry said.
The 'Cuse (3-0) has dismantled each of its first three opponents. However, after the team hosts Monmouth on Tuesday night, the Orange will travel to Las Vegas to face No. 1 Houston, No. 25 Kansas and a third foe in the Players Era Festival. Syracuse basketball needs Starling to fare well in Las Vegas, plus an early December battle with No. 20 Tennessee at the JMA Wireless Dome as part of the ACC/SEC Challenge.
With those tougher non-conference contests coming up, the 'Cuse has to possess a fully healthy roster, including Starling and Betsey.
Syracuse basketball head coach Adrian Autry talks about two injured players.
On Saturday in Philadelphia, Betsey scored a quick five points off the bench in the first half, although he appeared to roll his ankle with about nine-and-a-half minutes left before the intermission. He didn't play any more against Drexel after that.
Said Autry: "I think it was his ankle, so I think he might've twisted it or rolled it. You know, I'll find out more when we get back in the next day or two. But it doesn't seem like it was that serious."
So far in 2025-26, Betsey has proven a key reserve for the Orange. He's averaging 12.7 minutes, 7.3 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game while making 43.8 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from beyond the arc and 66.7 percent from the free-throw line.
Hopefully, both Betsey and Starling will be available on Tuesday evening against Monmouth. In particular, it would not be ideal for Starling to see his first significant action of the 2025-26 season against the Cougars and the Jayhawks in Las Vegas.