Inside the Loud House
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Syracuse Basketball: Predictions for pivotal Buffalo Bulls matchup

By Paul A. Esden Jr.

BOISE, ID - MARCH 15: Head coach Nate Oats of the Buffalo Bulls reacts against the Arizona Wildcats during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 15, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID - MARCH 15: Head coach Nate Oats of the Buffalo Bulls reacts against the Arizona Wildcats during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 15, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Mat Mlodzinski (7-3)

Prediction: Buffalo 81-70

Prediction:

What I want to say: Syracuse 70, Buffalo 69 on a Tyus Battle game winner.

Actual Prediction: Buffalo 81, Syracuse 70

Let’s be honest. Jim Boeheim is really, really good in games that the Orange need to win. This is one of those games. However, I just don’t know if his team is playing good enough to beat Buffalo right now.

The Bulls have Nick Perkins, who reminds me a bit of Rick Jackson the way he bangs down low. I really doubt Pascal Chukwu, Bourama Sidibe, or Marek Dolezaj will be able to collectively stop him for 40 minutes.

Problem two is CJ Massinburg. The guy has NBA scoring ability. Syracuse could slow him down, but he will still find a way to get 20.

If Cuse wants to come away with the win, Tyus Battle, Oshae Brissett, and Frank Howard will need to combine for AT LEAST 60. This is not an overreaction either. Buffalo can score, and on paper right now is the better team. Syracuse will need to find a way to score, which they have struggled to do all season.

Again, we all want the Cuse dub, and I think it can happen. But the smart prediction is a Bulls win.

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