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Syracuse Basketball: NC State Wolfpack crystal ball predictions

By Paul A. Esden Jr.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - JANUARY 20: Francisco Caffaro #22 and Casey Morsell #13 of the Virginia Cavaliers defend C.J. Bryce #13 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the second half during a game at John Paul Jones Arena on January 20, 2020 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - JANUARY 20: Francisco Caffaro #22 and Casey Morsell #13 of the Virginia Cavaliers defend C.J. Bryce #13 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the second half during a game at John Paul Jones Arena on January 20, 2020 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
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Paul A. Esden Jr, Site Expert (13-10)

Syracuse has eight games remaining in the regular season and obviously all of them are important, but this one feels differently for a variety of reasons.

The Orange will welcome in NC State into the dome on Tuesday night. Following this home tilt, the team will head on the road for two straight tilts vs the upper echelon of the conference (vs Louisville and vs Florida State). Both teams reside in the top-10 in the nation and would prove to be huge resume builders.

Right now Syracuse is 14-9, 7-5 conference. If the Orange lost to NC State they could be in danger of losing three straight (considering the level of the opponent) and its entire season could spin out of control.

But the team can’t think of all that, they need to focus on the task at hand which is a tough ACC tilt vs NC State.

The Wolfpack have dealt with injuries all year long, but enter this game relatively healthy. NC State forward Pat Andree is battling an ankle injury so he’s questionable for the game on Tuesday night.

The NC State backcourt is cause for serious concern: C.J. Bryce and Markell Johnson combined score nearly 27 points per game and can cause a variety of issues. Watch out for that foul line in this game because CJ and Markell thrive in the mid-range game.

This is a game that’ll finish out in the 70s and it’s pivotal for both sides. The x-factor for the Orange is Joe Girard III. His shot selection has been poor recently and Syracuse needs him to make some big splash plays in this game tonight.

Syracuse 77, NC State 70

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