Syracuse Basketball: North Florida Ospreys crystal ball predictions

DAYTON, OH - MARCH 18: Head coach Matthew Driscoll speaks with Dallas Moore #14 of the North Florida Ospreys against the Robert Morris Colonials during the first round of the 2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 18, 2015 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

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Joe Arrigo, contributor (6-5)

After a tougher battle than expected vs Oakland, Syracuse basketball will be on the court Saturday to take on North Florida.

Yes, this is a non-conference game that Syracuse will win handily, but it’s important to get the team flowing on all cylinders heading into the ACC portion of the schedule.

Against Oakland, Buddy Boeheim and Joe Girard did not shoot the ball well from 3 point range. Syracuse will need Boeheim and Girard desperately on the offensive end of the court once the Orange are playing other ACC opponents.

Take it for what it’s worth, but North Florida is one of of the better shooting teams in the country, especially on 3 pointers. If Syracuse has a night where the can’t throw the ball in the ocean, I could see a scenario where Syracuse could lose this game, but it won’t happen.

Syracuse had shown the ability to win these non- conference games against lower opponents. Obviously the real question is if they can beat a team in a Power 5 league. The pressure is starting to mount on the Orange to win and win consistently, or else they won’t have a prayer of dancing this year.

Final Score
Syracuse 76 North Florida 61

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