No time for the Syracuse Orange (4-1) to sit around and bemoan last night’s almost upset. The Orange are back on the court at MGM Grand at 3:30 today to face the Kansas Jayhawks (4-2). Game tips off at 3:30 on TNT
and here’s what we’re predicting:
Kevin: Kansas 75, Syracuse 71
The performance against Houston makes me more optimistic about this squad, but I think it’s a tough ask to come right back the next day against another good opponent. If the Orange want to get the upset, they need to shoot better from the line and from 3. Can they bounce back without Donnie Freeman? I think it’ll be another close one, but don’t think that Syracuse has enough firepower to grab this one.
Dom: Syracuse 73, Kansas 68
Coming off an overtime game has me quite worried of whether the effort level can stay as good as it did against the Cougars. That said, I’m personally just not high on Kansas’ offense with Darryn Peterson sidelined. If William Kyle can just hold up enough against Flory Bidunga, there’s only so much the other Jayhawks can do. Plus, you can’t do worse than 26% from three and 41% on free throws like the Orange did against Houston… right?!? I don’t feel great about this pick, but the Houston game convinced me enough.
Szuba: Syracuse 75, Kansas 71
If Syracuse plays with the same intensity and togetherness (“level-five energy” as Autry calls it) that it did against Houston, mark me down for an Orange win over the Jayhawks with Carmelo Anthony in attendance. Both teams will be without their star player. Outside of Bidunga and Tre White there’s not a ton of offensive pop on this Jayhawk team. Versatility and balanced offensive production from the Orange’s top seven guys give Syracuse just enough to get over the hump against a good defensive Kansas team — if they can just make their free throws.
Max: Kansas 77, Syracuse 72
I’d love to go with my heart, but my head said otherwise. While yesterday’s performance was far beyond anyone’s expectations, that definitely took a lot of energy out of Syracuse. Free-throw shooting has also been a season-long issue, so that won’t be corrected overnight. Even without its star player, Kansas handily beat Notre Dame by double-digits in its opener. The Jayhawks’ physicality will be too much for a worn-out Orange squad.
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Now it’s your turn: who wins this game?
