Salt City Derby moves to the hardwood
Are you ready Syracuse Orange fans? It’s time to tip-off the 2024-25 college basketball season as tonight the Orange welcome the Le Moyne Dolphins to the JMA Dome. What will happen in the season opener? Here’s what we think….
Kevin: Syracuse 82, Le Moyne 78
So far I believe that the Orange can score, but I don’t know if they can defend. Both teams are going to attempt a lot of 3s in this game and I think the Dolphins will keep it uncomfortably close all night. In the end, Syracuse has enough talent to squeak out a win and fans will surely respond appropriately.
Dom: Syracuse 89, Le Moyne 77
Syracuse’s defensive issues could manifest in a frustrating way to open the year, but the offense should remain pretty consistent and at least keep the team out in front for most of the contest. Even with two exhibitions, a first game usually means there will be some mistakes and a decent amount of rust out of the gate, but the Orange should have little problem taking care of business.
Sam: Syracuse 85, Le Moyne 65
I’m not sure if AJ Dancler or Darrick Jones Jr, who could be the Dolphins’ top two players this year, will play on Monday night, but I don’t think that with or without them, Le Moyne poses a significant threat to SU. The Orange should have their perimeter defense tested by the Dolphins’ ball movement and shooting, but the talent gap will be too broad.
Szuba: Syracuse 88, Le Moyne 74
Syracuse will be able to score the ball in this matchup and the Orange will have an advantage inside if Autry wants to deviate from the five-out offense he intends to run. There are more questions on the other side of the ball and whether or not Syracuse will be able to lock-in defensively once the actual games start. That said, this figures to be a fun matchup in each team’s season-opener with local talent on each side (plenty more for the Dolphins). Behind JJ Starling, Chris Bell and Eddie Lampkin, Syracuse’s offense should be able to do more than enough to get on the right side of this series against Le Moyne as division one opponents.
Mike: Syracuse 82, Le Moyne 67
I’m with Sam on this one. While it’s going to be interesting having a cross-city DI matchup, the fact of the matter is that Le Moyne still has a ways to go building their program up. I think it ends a tad bit under the -22.5 spread but it’ll be more due to the Orange rotating a lot of pieces to experiment than the ‘Phins being a huge threat. Should be a fun way to start the campaign nonetheless.
Max: Syracuse 90, Le Moyne 72
As others have mentioned, the Orange should score points at will, but their defensive pressure remains to be seen. The Dolphins clearly lack the size advantage, so expect them to rely on outside shooting to keep them in the game. Le Moyne will keep it close at the break, but an early second-half run by Syracuse’s starters helps the home team pull away on opening night.
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Now it’s your turn, what will happen in tonight’s game?