Syracuse Basketball: Predictions for Ohio State showdown

Mat Mlodzinski (3-2)

Prediction: Syracuse wins 74-68

Syracuse has had a week to prepare for this ACC / Big Ten challenge game. It may sound silly to say, but it may be a game that decides the fate for the Orange.

Sure, they have a lot of time to turn the season around and finish with 25 wins even with a loss to the undefeated Buckeyes.

However, a 3-3 start is not ideal, considering all of those losses are games that good teams find ways to win. Needless to say, it is a must win for the Orange.

I have faith that this team will find a way to score on an Ohio State team that took down Cincinnati earlier in the season in a defensive contest. This game will have the same slow flow, but if Syracuse can get out in transition and force Ohio State to speed it up just a bit, it may prove to be the difference.

Oshae Brissett needs to step up if Cuse wants the win. I’m not saying 20-25 points, but he needs to deliver a few three’s and points in the paint to make it easier for Tyus Battle and Frank Howard to get open perimeter looks. When Brissett plays well, Cuse rolls. It’s as simple as that.

In the end, Ohio State lacks go to guys, while Syracuse has three realistic guys down the stretch in Battle, Brissett, and Howard. If the Orange cab defend the Wesson brothers in the paint, the Buckeyes will struggle to score. If they allow them to eat down low, it will come down to Syracuse hitting more shots. Cuse takes it in a close one, and moves to 4-2.