Can the Orange survive and advance?
The 14th seed Syracuse Orange (13-18, 7-13) open up ACC Tournament play against the 11th seed, the Florida State Seminoles (17-14, 8-12). Tip off is at 7:00 pm tonight on The ACC Network and here’s what we’re predicting:
Kevin: Florida State 83, Syracuse 76
The Seminoles have the size to take away the Orange’s inside game, which means Syracuse is going to have to make some outside shots to have a chance. In the first meeting, FSU dominated at the foul line, but I wouldn’t expect them to shoot 31 free throws in this one, which should make it a close game in the final minutes. To advance out of this round, someone like Chris Bell is going to need to have a big night on the perimeter.
Mike: Syracuse 77, Florida State 69
Look, I’ve been terrible with my basketball predictions this season. This will probably end up as a jinx yet again. But I think that a group that’s been as maligned as much as this one will put up enough fight to avoid going one-and-done. Plus Bell was hot the last time these guys played – the Orange will just need a few deep makes and better discipline to keep it close, then it’s just about who can stretch a lead late.
Szuba: Florida State 85, Syracuse 79
Florida State’s size on the interior figures to mitigate Lampkin, who had just 4 points and 5 rebounds in the first matchup. The Orange lost by 16 in that game and that was with Donnie Freeman. JJ Starling will need to be at his best, and he hasn’t been over the last three games. This feels like a game where Jamir Watkins goes to town and Syracuse tries to play from behind down the stretch.
Max: Syracuse 79, Florida State 75
Despite this downward spiral of a season, something tells me these Orange veterans aren’t done fighting yet. While the team will look a lot different next year (and that’s probably a good thing), I think Lampkin will continue his dominance down low for at least one more game while Starling puts on a Boston College-esque performance with 20+ points. Florida State has the height advantage, but Syracuse’s improved rebounding efforts should cancel that out and then some.
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Now it’s your turn