Syracuse Basketball: Predictions for pivotal Buffalo Bulls matchup
Josh Peelman (6-4)
Prediction: Syracuse wins 80-70
This one should be a battle. Last year it was a fight all game for the Orange and we should expect nothing less than that in this matchup this year.
The Bulls are even more improved and look like a Top 25 mainstay this year. They can score and have a physical defense that can give opposing offenses headaches. Though their length and talent may not be at the Orange’s level, they make up for it with grit and pull out tight games.
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This could easily go the Bulls way on the road if Syracuse forgets how to score in the first half. I think the Orange will come ready to play though in front of the hometown fans and will pull away on a clutch three late and some made free throws down the stretch.
The Orange feel like they have something to prove, and a win over a tough team like the Bulls will boost their confidence much like the wins over Ohio State (on the road) and Georgetown (at home) did.
My gut tells me that this is a big scoring game for Tyus Battle and Elijah Hughes who I think will both score over 20 points in this one. The third scorer may be Brissett, but I think it will actually be Frank Howard who will finally get it going on offense, scoring just over 15 points with multiple assists in the lane. That’s the Howard we need and that’s the one we should start to expect (once again) going forward.
This one will not be easy, but it will be a fun tight battle to watch. Hopefully the Orange can pull it out and continue to climb up the Top 25 rankings with the win. I have the Orange winning by 10 after hitting free throws late, but its anyone guess whether offense or defense will prevail in this one. It could go either way. #CardiacCuse anyone?