It’s a Saturday matinee as the Syracuse Orange (12-7, 3-3) welcome the Miami Hurricanes (15-4, 4-2) to the JMA Dome. Tip-off is 2:00 on the ACC Network with Matt Schumaker and Richard Hendrix on the call.
Here’s what we’re predicting in this one:
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Kevin: Syracuse 79, Miami 75
This just feels like the time when Syracuse will do that Syracuse thing and win a game while looking good enough to make everyone angry. Yes, the people who want a new HC won’t be happy and the people who want the team back in the NCAA Tournament won’t be happy, It’s going to be cold and the Dome will likely be pretty empty, but Donnie Freeman makes up for his last two games and goes for 25 as the Orange are able to limit the points off turnovers and stop the losing streak.
Dom: Miami 80, Syracuse 73
I would’ve gone with ‘Cuse all the way… and then the ‘Canes dropped their last two by a combined 12 points, including a flattening two-point defeat to Florida State. Usually, I would say the Orange are “catching” their opponent at the right time, but Miami is still in play for a top-four seed in the conference and just feels prime to battle back. Rebounding will also be the big key: Miami’s opponents collect the fewest rebounds per game and The U gets the sixth-most in the ACC per contest, meaning a Syracuse offense that has already shown an ability to get cold at the wrong time has even less room for error.
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Szuba: Miami 76, Syracuse 68
Miami is the inverse of Virginia Tech in that it does not defend well outside the arc, but does inside. Big Ernest Udeh Jr. goes 6-foot-11, 266 lbs. That will be problematic for a two-point-taking Syracuse team that has a long, athletic, but not burly frontcourt. It might be helpful to see more of Freeman at the five to take the Kansas/TCU transfer Udeh away from the basket, but I like Miami’s defense to win out here as Malik Reneau, Tre Donaldson and a hot Shelton Henderson score enough to edge the Orange at home.
Max: Syracuse 75, Miami 71
With both teams limping into this one, I’m giving the slight edge to the home team. Overall, the Orange have shot the ball much better than the Hurricanes in ACC play, and Miami sports the worst three-point shooting percentage in the conference per KenPom (26.8%). While the loss to Virginia Tech likely ends any chance at an NCAA Tournament bid (and any added pressure), Syracuse will come out strong and cause chaos in the paint on both ends to squeak out a win.
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What’s your prediction for tomorrow?
