Syracuse Basketball: Iowa Hawkeyes crystal ball predictions

Josh Peelman, contributor (4-3)

Syracuse basketball is 4-3 entering December. When’s the last time you could say that? Probably been awhile. Syracuse normally has cupcakes for the most part until the new year, but this year the Orange had Virginia, Penn State, and Oklahoma State which was early challenges the Orange just couldn’t overcome.

The Orange have plenty of talent and scoring options this year, but they lack interior depth and experience across the board. Elijah Hughes is a star but often plays like a role player instead.

Marek Dolezaj is like CJ Fair, he can do it all, he just doesn’t bring it every night like Fair always did. Bourama Sidibe has gotten better on both sides of the ball but is still constantly getting in foul trouble. All three of these guys need to step up their game and lead this group of youngsters if this team had any thoughts of dancing this year.

Up next is another tough opponent though in Iowa. Three good news is the game is back home in the Dome. That means we need to see Joe Girard hit shots again and for Buddy Boeheim to find his stroke as well as both somehow lost theirs in Brooklyn.

If these guys step up, the Orange are more than capable of winning. However, against a more experienced and gritty Iowa team that earns their points and plays good defense, I think the Orange will struggle. I hate to say this, but I see Syracuse losing 71-58, and falling to 4-4 on the season. Yikes!