Syracuse Basketball: Predictions for opener vs. Eastern Washington

Neil Adler

Prediction: Syracuse wins 82-58

College hoops is here, my friends! The Syracuse basketball squad, fresh off a Sweet 16 appearance this past March, returns to the hardwood for its 2018-19 season opener on Nov. 6, when the Orange hosts Eastern Washington inside the Carrier Dome.

This affair represents the first-ever meeting between SU and the Eagles, a solid program that competes in the Big Sky Conference. A term ago, Eastern Washington finished at an overall mark of 20-15, including a 13-5 record in the Big Sky, with the Eagles earning a berth in the 2018 College Basketball Invitational.

Given that the ‘Cuse point-guard situation, due to multiple injuries, is a bit iffy as the 2018-19 campaign commences, in no way should Syracuse take EW lightly. Not in the least. That being said, SU will prove a huge favorite in this encounter. ESPN.com’s match-up predictor, for one, presently gives the ‘Cuse a 92.3 percent chance of prevailing over the Eagles. The key to success for the Orange, I believe, is just playing smart. Limiting careless mistakes. Rebounding well. Taking good shots. Not committing silly fouls. And creating turnovers, which will lead to easy buckets.

Our guys are undoubtedly going to feel pumped up to get the action going, and we all know that great things could transpire this year. However, with our point guards recovering from injuries, we have to remain a tad cautious. Still, regardless of who suits up, I think that Syracuse will win rather convincingly versus Eastern Washington, by a score of 82-58.