Syracuse Basketball: Virginia Tech Hokies crystal ball predictions

LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 25: Head coach Mike Young of the Virginia Tech Hokies participates in the post game press conference after the game against the Michigan State Spartans at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 25, 2019 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /

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Joe Arrigo, contributor (9-5)

After a heartbreaking performance, Syracuse will need to have a short memory because they have a quick turn around with this game against Virginia Tech.

The Hokies were expected to be one of the worst teams in the conference this year after Buzz Williams left the program. However, that hasn’t been the case. Despite getting blown out by Virginia, the Hokies are 10-4 and have beaten a very good Michigan State team this season as well.

There were a lot of positives and negatives to take out of SU’s matchup with the Irish, but the bottom line is that this team is bad playing the 2-3 zone, yet Jim Boeheim won’t even try to switch to man to man. To me, this is stubbornness at its finest. It will never happen, but I would love to see Syracuse try a different defense, even if it was for a few minutes.

As for this game, it’s a really tough call. The Hokies won’t shoot the ball as well as Notre Dame did, but they were just embarrassed by Virginia, so I think they will play with a chip on their shoulder.

On Syracuse’s side, I worry that Saturday’s loss was such a gut punch that it will affect them in this game. This is a game where I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m wrong, but I trust Virginia Tech more than I do Syracuse.

FINAL SCORE
Virginia Tech 73 Syracuse 70

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