Syracuse Basketball: Wake Forest Demon Deacons crystal ball predictions

Chris Queripel, contributor (16-6)

Syracuse basketball is in a two-game skid as their next game approaches. On Saturday, the Orange face Wake Forest. Now on paper, this game should go Syracuse’s way, but let’s take a more in-depth look first.

The biggest concern for the ‘Cuse should be the Demon Deacons’ abilities to control the glass. Wake is top 50 in the nation for rebounds per game. We know the Orange has issues with their bigs pulling down boards so this is something to look out for. Olivier Sarr leads the team with nearly 10 a game. Another name to watch out for is Brandon Childress. He’s the team’s leading scorer as well as assists and steals. The do-it-all guard could cause havoc for Syracuse.

For the Orange, their star Elijah Hughes recently got the national recognition he deserves. Hughes is among 10 finalists for the Julius Erving award which is given to the best small forward in the country.

‘Cuse needs to bounce back in a big way against Wake Forest, and Hughes is a significant part of the plan. If Syracuse can stay out of foul trouble and move the ball with consistency, then I give them the upper hand.

This matchup needs multiple scorers and especially a paint presence. However, I believe that Elijah Hughes will be the games x-factor. Because no matter what the lineups look like on paper once its game time, then Elijah Hughes steps up. This is the game for him to show everyone he deserves national recognition.

Look for Hughes to have a big game for the Orange. But if he starts missing shots, then it’s up to Buddy Boeheim and Marek Dolezaj. Marek has vastly improved down low, and Boeheim has been a consistent, sharpshooter. Give me Syracuse 77-70 in an Elijah Hughes takeover versus Wake Forest.