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Syracuse Basketball: Predictions vs Baylor in NCAA Tournament

By Paul A. Esden Jr.

LUBBOCK, TX - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Scott Drew of the Baylor Bears talks to his players at a time out during the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on December 29, 2017 at United Supermarket Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Baylor 77-53. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Scott Drew of the Baylor Bears talks to his players at a time out during the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on December 29, 2017 at United Supermarket Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Baylor 77-53. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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Neil Adler (24-9)
Prediction: Syracuse wins 64-60

Saddle up, boys and girls, it’s Big Dance time! Our beloved Syracuse basketball squad, thankfully and unsurprisingly, heard its name called on Selection Sunday. Phew.

The Orange (20-13), which fell to highly rated Duke in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals over the weekend, actually put forth an inspired effort versus the Blue Devils, considering that junior wing Tyus Battle didn’t suit up, and Duke’s sensational freshman forward, Zion Williamson, went into full beast mode against the ‘Cuse.

SU seeded No. 8 in the West Region, will square off in the round of 64 with No. 9 seed Baylor (19-13) on Thursday night in Salt Lake City. The Bears finished fourth in the Big 12 Conference’s regular-season standings and got smoked in the league tourney’s quarterfinals by eventual champion Iowa State.

The winner of this enticing affair will likely face the West Region’s No. 1 seed, Gonzaga, in the round of 32. Odds-makers in Las Vegas currently have Syracuse as a two-point favorite, while ESPN’s Basketball Power Index says that the Orange possesses a 51.8 percent chance to prevail. I foresee a really tight encounter between Baylor and the ‘Cuse that will get settled in the game’s waning minutes. Both SU and the Bears somewhat struggle to score, and each program has a solid defense, so we should all expect a slugfest. Ultimately, given that Battle is returning to the line-up, I believe that Syracuse is going to conquer Baylor, by a final count of 64-60.

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