Syracuse basketball head coach Jim Boeheim begins his 47th season at the helm on the Hill this Monday evening, as he and his newly revamped roster for the 2022-23 campaign look to reverse course after the Orange suffered a below .500 record a stanza ago, when the ‘Cuse finished at 16-17 overall.
Boeheim, in the 2021-22 term, endured his first losing season as the Orange’s head coach. If he hopes to fare better in 2022-23, he’ll have to do so with a line-up that possesses 12 scholarship players, including two returning starters, several other returnees, a six-member 2022 recruiting class and a young big-man transfer.
Up first for the ‘Cuse is a non-conference clash inside the JMA Wireless Dome this Monday night against Patriot League member Lehigh. The Mountain Hawks sported a 13-19 mark in 2021-22 and reached the semifinals of the Patriot League post-season tournament.
In the Patriot League’s preseason poll ahead of 2022-23, Lehigh was forecast to finish at No. 3 in this conference, behind perennial league heavyweight Colgate and Boston University.
Syracuse basketball vs. Lehigh odds
When I wrote this column, the Action Network had the Orange as a 19.5-point betting favorite over Lehigh. Also at the time of this writing, the over/under was set at 149.0 points.
Syracuse basketball vs. Lehigh prediction
The ‘Cuse and the Mountain Hawks were supposed to collide in 2021-22, but the contest was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. All-time in their short series together, Syracuse basketball is 4-0 against Lehigh, with their most recent encounter a 57-47 victory for the Orange over the Mountain Hawks during the 2015-16 stanza.
I was not overly impressed with how the ‘Cuse performed in its second and final exhibition tune-up versus Division II Southern New Hampshire this past Tuesday, but I don’t envision Syracuse basketball having too large of a challenge when it hosts the Mountain Hawks.
I predict that the Orange will defeat Lehigh by at least 10 points in the 2022-23 season opener for both groups.
Injuries, how to watch, live stream, next game
On the injury front, I’m not aware of any significant injuries to note as the ‘Cuse commences its 2022-23 campaign. Obviously, we’ll always stay on top of this particular topic throughout the upcoming season.
Syracuse basketball and Lehigh are slated to tip off starting at 8 pm on Monday, Nov. 7, on the Hill. The ACC Network Extra will provide live streaming coverage.
For Syracuse basketball and Mountain Hawks fans who want to stream this game, you can check it out on fuboTV.
After the ‘Cuse (hopefully) takes care of Lehigh, Syracuse basketball will face another Patriot League member in Colgate, as the Raiders will come to the Dome on Tuesday, Nov. 15, beginning at 7 pm. ACC regional sports networks (RSNs) will televise this non-conference affair.
Colgate shocked the Orange on the road nearly a year ago, and my fingers are crossed that Syracuse basketball will pounce on the Raiders in this latest go-round.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.