The Syracuse Orange (6-3) host the Hofstra Pride (7-4) in the JMA Dome this afternoon for a non-conference matchup. The game is 4:00 on the ACC Network and once again Mike Corey and Eric Devendorf are on the call. Syracuse is 10.5 point favorites according to FanDuel.
Here’s what we’re predicting:
Max: Syracuse 77, Hofstra 72
It’s hard to envision a comfortable winning margin with the free-throw struggles, but the Orange defense should keep the Pride at arm’s length away for a narrow win. Hofstra did
pull off a nice upset at Pitt, but I can’t see the visitors replicating 38 points in the paint against a Syracuse team that averages the second-most blocks per game (6.1) in the ACC. The charity stripe woes make the score closer than it needs to be; however, Autry’s group should still pull it out in the end.
Sam: Syracuse 66, Hofstra 60
I see this being a low scoring drag, like many of SU’s games will be this year. The team will grind out a win thanks to better athleticism and a few key stops late in the game. I think Kyle will do a great job against Hofstra’s two bigs, and the guards will funnel enough to him to keep the Pride off the board for the most part.
Dom: Syracuse 76, Hofstra 65
Similar to the Saint Joseph’s game, Hofstra’s guard play will keep this a close one, but I think the Orange will have better defensive energy compared to the first half against the Hawks. The extended absence and weird timing of the game were obstacles Syracuse had to overcome, and that shouldn’t be the case this time around. Plus, considering this Hofstra team recently beat Pitt (lol), you’d imagine the coaching staff will sound the alarm on how much of a “trap game” this could be if the team doesn’t come out with the right energy.
Kevin: Syracuse 69, Hofstra 64
I think the Orange bounce back with a better defensive effort in this one- led by William Kyle and Sadiq White making some early plays to get the team and crowd involved. Hofstra is not going to be intimidated by the Dome and look for them to push Syracuse for 40 minutes, but the Orange defense is strong enough to secure another tough win.
Szuba: Syracuse 72, Hofstra 60
Don’t think Syracuse will be caught sleepwalking for a second game in a row as the rust has been shaken off and we’re not tipping off at 9 p.m. Still, a punchy Hofstra team that likes to defend has already proven it can hang with ACC teams. While Nait George might still be working through illness, a balanced offense should get more than enough from Kingz, Kyle, Starling and Betsey while the Orange defense holds. Give me Syracuse by a dozen.
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What are your predictions for this afternoon?
