Syracuse Basketball: North Carolina ACC Tournament predictions

Mat Mlodzinski, contributor (17-14)

Syracuse – 75, UNC – 70

Can Syracuse make another conference tournament run to get into the NCAA Tournament?  So far, the Orange haven’t exactly been able to do that in the ACC, but that doesn’t mean this couldn’t be the year. The Orange come in as a scary 6-seed, having the potential to rattle off a few wins if guys like Buddy Boeheim, Elijah Hughes, and Joe Girard III can get hot.

Without looking ahead, the ‘Cuse have to take it one step at a time with North Carolina. Syracuse struggled to guard Cole Anthony the first time around, but I’d expect Jim Boeheim to make some adjustments in the 2-3 zone to better defend the future lottery pick this time around. Perhaps it means playing higher up or trapping him when he gets the ball at certain places on the court. Whatever the gameplan is, the Orange need to slow him down to a low 20-point performance or fewer.

Offensively, I’ll stick with Buddy.

There’s something about the younger Boeheim that screams tournament time. It’s as simple as that little feeling you get when you know something may work, and that’s what it is with Buddy. Something just tells me that he may have a very, very good tournament.

However, I really think it has to be Bourama Sidibe who needs to step up.

I haven’t talked much about him in these predictions, but against North Carolina, he will need to play well. Recently, he has, but against a Tar Heels team that often out-rebounds Syracuse, Sidibe will need to hold his ground. I’m not calling for a 20 and 10 game, but if Sidibe can keep a few plays alive and score a couple of buckets, it will not only negate a bit of what the Heels try and pour on down low, but it also will take the pressure away from the shooters, and allow for a few more open threes for the Orange.

Syracuse advances by a slight margin and sets up a date with Louisville.