Syracuse Basketball: Penn State Nittany Lions crystal ball predictions

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 03: Lamar Stevens #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts in the second half while playing the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on January 03, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 68-55. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

2 of 7

Paul A. Esden Jr, Site Expert (4-2)

Both Syracuse and Penn State have played six games so far this season, they have one common opponent: Bucknell.

The Orange scored 97 points and Penn State scored 98 points vs the Bison. Nittany Lions won by 28 points and Syracuse won by 51 points.

This is going to be your classic striker vs grappler matchup.

Penn State averages over 80 points per game and Syracuse allows under 60 points per contest.

The Nittany Lions possess four double-digit scorers:

Lamar Stevens (17.7 points per game)
Myreon Jones (11.8 points per game)
Mike Watkins (11.3 points per game)
Myles Dread (10.5 points per game)

They nearly have a fifth double-digit scorer in Izaiah Brockington who scores 9.3 points per contest.

An x-factor to keep an eye on is the perimeter defense for the Orange. Penn State has four players that average at least 37 percent from beyond the arc.

Speaking of offense, Syracuse struggled to find the bottom of the net vs Oklahoma State on Wednesday. This team has had very good defensive play early this season, but to get where they need to go, guys are going to have to step up offensively and help Elijah Hughes out.

Syracuse wins this contest 71-70 in a game that comes to the very end.

Home/Syracuse Basketball