Syracuse Basketball: Miami Hurricanes crystal ball predictions

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - FEBRUARY 02: Dejan Vasiljevic #1 of the Miami Hurricanes passes the ball in the first half during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on February 2, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

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Paul A. Esden Jr, Site Expert (16-14)

It’s crazy to think that the 2019-20 Syracuse basketball regular season comes to a close on Saturday evening vs Miami.

This is a final opportunity for the Orange to end the season on a positive note. Also, there’s a piece of meat hanging in front of this team on the treadmill, if they beat the Hurricanes they’ll clinch the No. 5 seed in the ACC Tournament.

While no game is easy, especially in this specific crazy season, this matchup vs Miami is ideal for Syracuse.

The Hurricanes struggle to rebound, they’re in a funk, and their best player may not even suit up.

Chris Lykes is a talented 5-foot-7, 157-pound guard but got gurt in the last game and his status is murky. If he’s unable to go it’s hard to imagine any way that Miami can pull this off.

Elijah Hughes is rolling, Bourama Sidibe has been unstoppable on the inside, and this seems like an ideal matchup for Joe Girard III to get going offensively.

The Hurricanes have had an awful season mired in injuries and NCAA violations that have stunted the team’s recruiting and ceiling.

This game shouldn’t be particularly close and the home-court advantage will likely be neutralized by a strong Syracuse contingent.

Orange win 70 to 60 over Miami.

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