Syracuse Basketball: Predictions for Old Dominion Monarchs clash

Andrew Carey (6-3)

Prediction: Syracuse wins 77-64

Syracuse should not have much trouble against Old Dominion. The Orange have started to show in spurts that they can play better on the offensive end, but now are in need to find consistency on that side of the ball.

Think back to the first half of the Georgetown game (though I’m sure many would rather not), Syracuse looked like a different team on offense in the second half. Quite literally. They scored 50 points in half No. 2, while only managing to score 22 points in the first half. How is that possible?

I have to be honest, I respect Jim Boeheim for challenging Tyus Battle at halftime. Coming out ready to play starts with the leader of a team, and Tyus Battle and maybe Frank Howard are the unquestioned leaders of this team. They need to own the fact that the team has looked extremely sluggish for about 75% of their play this season. I want to see this Syracuse team come out and dominate from the tip. They have yet to do that this season in a game.

Beat a weaker opponent, like an Old Dominion by 30 points at home. Show us that you can be a great team, and we haven’t seen the best of this squad. In order to do so, Frank Howard has got to get on track. While the Orange are undefeated in games he has played in this year, Howard has been dismal.

The senior guard is averaging 4 points per game, 4 assists per game, and a little over 2 steals, while shooting a lousy 27% from the field. I am looking for him to get going against Old Dominion. If Frank finds his stride, this team will win a lot of games. Until then, I cannot predict Syracuse to cruise to easy wins, Orange come out on top 77-64.