Syracuse men’s basketball: predictions and poll vs #24 Louisville
The Syracuse Orange (15-14, 6-10) stay on the road for an ACC game against the #24 Louisville Cardinals (20-9, 9-7). Tip-off is at 9:00 p.m. EST on The ACC Network and here’s what we’re predicting:
Kevin: Louisville 87, Syracuse 70
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The Cardinals might be the most disappointing ACC squad this year as they were thought to be a team which could challenge Duke-instead they head into the final week trying to finish ahead of Cal and Florida State. Thankfully for Louisville, losers of 3 of their last 5, they get the woeful Syracuse defense tonight. I’d expect that the Cardinals have no trouble scoring in this one and eventually pull away from the Orange in the final 10 minutes- as we’ve come to expect this season.
Dom: Louisville 87, Syracuse 75
Agree with Kevin here, especially on defense for ‘Cuse. Louisville’s offense is the best unit on the court in this one, and that’s a tough hill to overcome. The Cardinals’ top-four scorers are all guards. That puts a lot of pressure on Syracuse on the perimeter, even with Louisville down Mikel Brown Jr. for the game. Another factor to keep in mind: quietly, Syracuse hasn’t won a road ACC game in almost two months (January 10 versus Pittsburgh). After most recently giving up 88 to Wake Forest, the Orange might bounce back, but they need a lot more than that to pull off an upset.
Szuba: Louisville 92, Syracuse 72
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Even without Brown, Louisville should be able to take care of a flagging Syracuse team on its home floor. The Cardinals are 14-2 at home this season and Syracuse is 3-9 away from the dome. Ryan Conwell and J’Vonne Hadley have played well of late. The Louisville frontcourt isn’t imposing, but then again Syracuse hasn’t secured strong play from its center spot of late either. Louisville is one of the best offensive teams in the country and takes a lot of 3s. That doesn’t bode well for a Syracuse team disinterred in defense and playing some of its worst basketball of the season. Cards by 20.
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What’s your prediction for tonight?