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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Joe Arrigo, contributor (1-0)

Syracuse had an opener that they will want to erase from their memory. I know Virginia might be the best defensive school in the country, but 34 points is unacceptable.

My biggest concern is that the offense didn’t have any flow or movement. It’s not like Syracuse was getting open shots and missing them. There were shooting heavily contested shots.

Now it’s not the end of the world, but Syracuse will have to remember this when they start playing serious competition again. I expect Syracuse to handle Colgate easily, but how will the team perform?

It’s important to establish good habits and tendencies in-game so that when the game gets serious, the Orange can have a team that is worth putting some trust into. The team should play through Elijah Hughes, but he needs to take good shots and not force his game. He has to be smart because he is the only guy on this team that can create his own shot consistently. Syracuse will beat Colgate easily, but that’s how it should be.

Final score
Syracuse -74 Colgate 61

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