Inside the Loud House
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Bold Prediction: Syracuse Basketball will Defeat North Carolina

By David Stone

Jan 26, 2015; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Syracuse Orange huddles before the second half. The Tar Heels defeated the Orange 93-83 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2015; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Syracuse Orange huddles before the second half. The Tar Heels defeated the Orange 93-83 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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On Saturday at 8 pm, the 6th ranked Tarheels stop by the Carrier Dome to take on the 10-6 (0-3 conference play) Syracuse basketball team.

I know, I know. I’m 0-2 with my “bold predictions” all time. So what, a man can dream can’t he? So here I go again, prompty prepared to stick my foot in my mouth. It’s fine, that’s the life of a sports writer. If you’re not willing to make the unlikely gambles, you don’t belong in the business.

However, this time I truly feel it’s going to happen. Seriously! No wait, don’t close that browser window yet. At least give me a chance to explain myself. Hello, is anyone still here?

Ahem. Well, for the few of you who might have stuck around, let me explain why I think the Syracuse basketball team can and will win this game.

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There are three main reasons for this, and the first one should be pretty obvious: James Arthur Boeheim. After a nine game suspension and over a month of “vacation” from his beloved team, Mr. Boeheim will be back on the sidelines.

Yes that’s right, we’ll all get to see the tantrums, the screaming at Kaleb Joseph (if he even plays), and probably the nose-picking. It’s what we all love (and maybe slightly hate) about the man who has guided Syracuse to 972 career wins (screw you, NCAA).

It’s not just having Boeheim back, and his usually outstanding in-game adjustments that are why he is such a huge factor. It’s the fact that the team will be fired up to have him on the sidelines. I’m sure you’ve heard the old expression “win one for the Gipper”. Well, on Saturday night, Jim Boeheim is the proverbial Gipper. I’d be shocked if the team doesn’t come out incredibly fired up and really tries to take it to North Carolina.

The second reason also ties into the first. Jim Boeheim owns Roy Williams head to head. Okay, maybe “owns” is a slight exaggeration, but he is 4-2 overall against Roy Williams. He’s 2-1 against him at UNC, with his only loss coming last year, and only because UNC drained nearly 60% of their 3’s. Even then, it was a 10 point victory with one of the worst team’s Boeheim’s ever coached (this year isn’t over yet!). He also was 2-1 against him at Kansas, including beating him in the title game in 2003.

The final reason I think Syracuse pulls out the victory is the terrible defense that North Carolina plays. Yes, they are an offensive juggernaut, but defensively they are leakier than a sieve. They’ve given up a whopping 72 points per game, which puts them at 194th nationally in points allowed. In comparison, Syracuse gives up just 65.3, and that’s with two overtime games. That’s 55th in the country.

Look for Syracuse to get lots of open looks against the poor defensive team that North Carolina is. Look for Mike Gbinije to have a massive game from behind the arc, and don’t be surprised if he’s joined by the likes of Richardson, Lydon, and Cooney.

Boeheim has had over a month to prepare for this game. If you think he hasn’t been doing some crazy amount of scouting, research, and pouring through mountains of data, you don’t know much about Syracuse’s coach. He lives for analytics, statistics, and percentages. He knows what UNC’s strengths are, and he will do his best to confound them.

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It’s going to be a fast-paced, high scoring affair, and I think that suits SU just fine. They have looked their absolute best this year when they have been able to get out in transition and work at an up-tempo. It’s their dismal half-court offense that has been the problem. I think this game on Saturday will be very high scoring, and I think that benefits Syracuse.

In the end, I say Syracuse pulls out the victory 87-85. It will be a game of runs, and for once, SU will close one out and steal it away from North Carolina. They certainly have more to play for, and I think UNC will be just flat enough to lose this one.

Check back tomorrow for some more in-depth analysis of the game including the usual roster breakdown and keys to victory. I will be attending this game and screaming my head off, so will not be live tweeting it unfortunately, but will be writing some analysis post-game, so check back after if you don’t get a chance to watch, or even if you do!

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