Can Syracuse steal a road win in the heart of ACC country?
The Syracuse Orange (12-17, 6-12) are in Texas to play their first ACC game against the SMU Mustangs (21-8, 12-6). Tip off is at 9:00 pm on ESPNU and here’s what we’re watching predicting:
Kevin: SMU 87, Syracuse 75
I don’t see any realistic scenario for Syracuse to slow down the SMU offense. It’s a game the Mustangs need for their slim NCAA Tournament hopes and they will likely be looking to push the pace tonight. I am curious to see how the Orange respond after Saturday’s collapse and if we see a return of Elijah Moore. With just a little left in this season, it would be nice to Moore and Majstorovic get some significant minutes against a solid opponent.
Mike: SMU 82, Syracuse 65
This SMU squad isn’t quite as groundbreaking as their football counterpart, but that’s a tall comparison to make in what’s otherwise been a very successful intro to the All-Coastal Conference. Their only home losses this year have been to ranked Duke, Louisville, and Clemson squads – and SU simply isn’t in the same ballpark as those teams right now. No judgement to those who don’t stay up extra late on a weeknight for this.
Szuba: SMU 91, Syracuse 78
SMU is one of the better offensive teams in the country and if Boopie Miller is good to go it gives the Mustangs one more weapon against the Orange. The Syracuse defense, meanwhile, has been listless. Don’t expect SU to clamp down on that end. Do expect SMU to score at will with the Orange trying to keep up.
Dom: SMU 80, Syracuse 68
It is indeed March, but there will not be any madness in this one. SMU is a top-four ACC team and for good reason — the Mustangs take care of business against opponents who rank like Syracuse. The scoring will be alright, but defensively, I’m really concerned against a team ranked top-three in the conference in scoring per game, field goal percentage and three-point percentage. It would really take an unorthodox performance from the Orange just to be in it, and the odds are too stacked against them.
Max: SMU 86, Syracuse 67
The Mustangs enter this one on the outside of the bubble looking in, so I expect them to go full throttle in a double-digit rout. SMU plays at the second-fastest pace offensively in the ACC, and its stellar three-point shooting (38.4%, 13th in the country) should run Syracuse out of the gym by halftime.
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