Syracuse Basketball: Colgate Raiders crystal ball predictions

COLUMBUS, OHIO - MARCH 22: Jordan Burns #1 reacts with Will Rayman #10 of the Colgate Raiders during the second half against the Tennessee Volunteers in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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Paul A. Esden Jr, Site Expert (0-1)

Syracuse will face its second straight NCAA team from last season to start the 2019-20 season vs Colgate.

These Raiders may have lost to the Orange 53 straight times and Syracuse may own the all-time series mark (126-45), but this isn’t the same Colgate whipping boy.

This team has swag now. They reached March Madness for the first time since 1996 and they return four starters from that squad that won the Patriot League.

Colgate doesn’t want to participate in a track meet with the Orange because they can’t keep up, but that feeds into the leading narrative for this game. Can Syracuse live up to the hype?

On paper, the Orange have depth for days and possess an array of deep threats that can splash from downtown. We saw that in the preseason play, we didn’t see it in the lid-lifter vs Virginia.

Colgate is capable of smacking Syracuse and pulling off the upset because they’ve got talent, but this game isn’t about the Raiders, it’s about the Orange.

They need to step up or shut up.

PROVE your talent on the hardwood and show everyone why there was quiet hype around town about this squad.

I think they do that and Jalen Carey has a bounce-back game and quiets some of the point guard noise for now. Give me the Orange 75-62 over Colgate.

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