It’s technically a neutral site game tomorrow at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, but the Syracuse Orange (2-0) are out of New York for the first time in the 25-26 season. Syracuse will take on the Drexel
Dragons (1-2) in the Autumn Invitational at 3:30 and streaming on Peacock. Here’s what we’re predicting for this one:
Dom: Syracuse 80, Drexel 61
Five different players for Drexel are averaging at least two assists and seven are between six and 14 points per game through three games. There isn’t a true “dominant” scorer, but it’s an opponent that will definitely test the Orange early with its ball movement and capitalizing on any defensive miscues. That said, Syracuse still has the clear advantage in the frontcourt and should be able to get plenty of easy looks at the rim and off second-chance points. I see this being a “scary score” for the first 10-15 minutes before the Orange put the Dragons down for good in the second half.
Kevin: Syracuse 82, Drexel 69
My guess is that the Orange will hold out JJ Starling in this one and hope that he can play a little bit on Tuesday night and then have a week until the Houston game. I’m looking for the Orange to try and attack with their pick and roll game early in this one. After Drexel adjusts to help more at the rim, it should open shots for Nate Kingz and Kiyan Anthony. While the Dragons will keep it closer than the first two Syracuse games, I’m expecting the Orange to stay in control throughout in front of a pro-Syracuse crowd in Philly
Sam: Syracuse 75, Drexel 55
Drexel probably isn’t a team that Syracuse can blow out by 40 the way it did with Binghamton and Delaware State, but the Dragons have a lot of young pieces that are still growing into their roles. The Orange have come out of the gates with an energy that we haven’t seen in years, and that should continue, overwhelming a Drexel team that will improve as the year goes on.
Szuba: Syracuse 81, Drexel 58
Syracuse faces its first opponent away from the dome and while Drexel is a step up in competition from the Orange’s first two opponents, the Dragons still rank in the bottom third of D1 teams. Syracuse should outmatch Drexel athletically and continue to beat up on teams like this defensively. The Dragons will hit some shots from outside but ultimately Donnie Freeman and the Orange frontcourt dominate as Syracuse wins going away.
Max: Syracuse 79, Drexel 62
The Orange shouldn’t have problems with the Dragons’ offense, which shoots just 40.3% from inside the arc (332nd per KenPom) and an abysmal 58.6% from the charity stripe (345th). With the way Adrian Autry’s defense has been playing (1st in effective field goal percentage), I’m expecting William Kyle to take control of the paint while Naithan George adds a handful of steals in an easy road dub.
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