Mat Mlodzinski, contributor (11-10)
Syracuse – 75, Duke – 71
Every year, there is one game on the Syracuse schedule that matters just a little bit more than the rest on the regular-season schedule. Today is that game.
The Orange will pack 30,000 plus fans striped in orange, blue, and white as the ‘Cuse plays host to the Duke Blue Devils, who come in as the number nine team in the nation.
Now for starters, this Duke team is a bit different. Vernon Carey Jr. is the star on their roster – but he isn’t nearly as talented as recent Duke stars – namely Zion Williamson, Jabari Parker, and Jayson Tatum. After Stanley, the 17-3 Mike Krzyzewski coached team relies on Cassius Stanley, Tre Jones, and Matthew Hurt to act as other scorers and ball movers to make this team roll.
As a team, Duke can do a little bit of everything. They certainly put the ball in the basket, averaging over 80 points per contest. Four players hit from behind the arc at a 40% clip or better, while the low post is steady as well. They also play great team basketball, as seven guys average at least five points per game, on a team that assists on 16 baskets per contest.
Syracuse will need to hit threes to win this game.
This isn’t Duke’s most athletic team, so Elijah Hughes and Joe Girard III will have to penetrate to create open looks for each other and Buddy Boeheim. It also would help if Howard Washington or Brycen Goodine could come in and hit a three as well.
In the low post, Marek Dolezaj is key.
When he plays well, Syracuse is nearly unstoppable. However, when he gets in foul trouble, the Orange have to rely more on Quincy Guerrier and Bourama Sidibe – something that puts this team at a slight disadvantage.
I picked Syracuse because Jim Boeheim knows what’s at stake.
For Syracuse to make the NCAA Tournament, they will need to go 5-5 over these last 10 games. However, one of those wins needs to be against a premiere opponent – who on Syracuse’s schedule – would be Florida State, Louisville, or Duke.
Duke is the only home game on the schedule and is a game that the Dome crowd could really edge on and help the Orange. I see that playing a factor into the game, and the Orange pick up its signature win.