Suddenly there are no Jims left
The Syracuse Orange (11-13, 5-8) look to win their second game in a row as they travel south to take on the Miami Hurricanes (5-18, 1-11) tonight. The game will tip off at 7:00 on the ACC Network and here’s what we’re predicting:
Kevin: Syracuse 74, Miami 71
The Orange aren’t good enough to assume a win against anyone, but there is a good chance they can bring a win back from Coral Gables. Miami is allowing ACC teams to shoot 59% on two-point attempts so Syracuse should be able to get the ball inside and be productive. This is a game where the Orange advantage on the glass could be the difference in a victory.
Dom: Syracuse 84, Miami 82
Both teams rank bottom-two in opponent points allowed in the ACC. This is going to be an absolutely ugly game where no team can stop the other. One reason it stays this close: Miami gives up the highest three-point percentage to opponents, but Syracuse only makes those shots at fourth-worst rate in the conference. I’m throwing my hands up with this prediction because both defenses can play like Swiss cheese, but as Kevin noted, Syracuse’s rebounding is just way better than Miami and I think that’s ultimately the deciding factor. Be prepared for total chaos, one way or another.
Sam: Syracuse 85, Miami 76
The one thing that I can guarantee about this game is that there will be plenty of points on offense. As long as Syracuse doesn’t sleepwalk through the game, it should be able to get a win on the road.
Szuba: Syracuse 88, Miami 71
Syracuse might be nursing some fatigue following a triple overtime game on Saturday, but the offense should still have no trouble scoring against this lackluster Hurricanes defense. I think four Orange starters (Starling, Moore, Davis and Lampkin) are in for good offensive nights while the defense does enough to hold serve. The spread says otherwise, but give me Syracuse by double-digits down in Watsco.
Mike: Syracuse 83, Miami 70
ESPN’s analytics model calling SU underdogs in this is just as broken as the AI preview article that thinks they’re the home team tonight. A team that lost several buy games and only won one ACC game because Notre Dame had yet another 2nd half collapse should not be a threat to even a very mediocre Orange squad.
Max: Miami 75, Syracuse 71
I’ll play devil’s advocate and go with the Canes, who are surprisingly the betting favorite tonight. Maybe Miami has figured something out after holding Notre Dame to 43% shooting in its first ACC home win on Feb. 1. Looking at the Hurricanes’ remaining schedule; they only have a realistic chance to beat three of eight conference foes, the Orange being one of them. Give me the team with better free-throw shooting and ball security in a close one.
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Now it’s your turn