It would be such a Syracuse basketball thing to do for SU to win at Duke

Syracuse basketball is middling in the Atlantic Coast Conference standings to date in the 2021-22 campaign, although the Orange did play quite well in defeating Clemson earlier this week at home by 13 points.

It’s highly unlikely that the ‘Cuse can realistically make the Big Dance this spring, even if the Orange is able to string together a bunch of league victories in a row.

Up next for Syracuse basketball is an ACC clash with Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C., this coming Saturday afternoon.

The No. 6 Blue Devils (14-3, 4-2) are presently the only ranked ACC squad in the major top-25 polls, although I believe it’s patently ridiculous that Miami isn’t currently in these polls.

I can’t imagine that many national pundits are going to give the ‘Cuse much of a shot at all in knocking off Duke on the road, but that’s why the games are played.

And despite the Orange being a disappointment at this juncture in 2021-22, the ‘Cuse (9-9, 3-4) does have a track record of stunning the Blue Devils from time to time.

Syracuse basketball has a big-time challenge at Duke this weekend.

Earlier this week, the Blue Devils fell by a point in overtime at Florida State, so I guarantee that Duke will be fired up to take care of the Orange on its own turf.

In 2021-22, the Blue Devils have lost to FSU, Miami and Ohio State. Duke has bested No. 1 Gonzaga, then-No. 10 Kentucky and Wake Forest, among others.

All-time, Syracuse basketball is just 6-11 versus the Blue Devils, and Duke has had the Orange’s number by and large since the ‘Cuse joined the ACC in 2013-14.

Yet in recent terms, Syracuse basketball has taken out the Blue Devils twice in Durham, once by a 64-62 count, and the second time a thrilling 95-91 overtime triumph.

Without question, Duke has a multitude of advantages over the Orange in a variety of statistical categories. The Blue Devils take care of the ball with precision and shoot nearly 50 percent as a collective unit, as well as roughly 37 percent from beyond the arc.

Duke scores four points more per contest than Syracuse basketball, and the Blue Devils allow about 10 fewer points on defense than the ‘Cuse.

Other edges that Duke boasts include in rebounding, assists, blocks and steals per affair. Leading the Blue Devils’ talented roster is a pair of forwards, freshman sensation Paolo Banchero and junior Wendell Moore Jr.

Banchero, a significant contender for ACC Player of the Year and All-American honors, tallies roughly 18 points and eight boards per contest. Moore produces approximately 15 points, six rebounds and five assists a game.

Sure, most Orange fans likely feel that Duke will best the ‘Cuse at Cameron, given the kind of season that our boys are having. Then again, it would be so Syracuse for the Orange, in the present stanza, to defeat Duke away from Central New York.