Two teams part of the “ACC bubble” will face off in the Carrier Dome looking for a huge win. Can the Eagles shoot over the Orange zone?
TV schedule: Wednesday, Jan. 24, 7:00 p.m. ET. ESPNU
Arena: Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York
The latest Bracketology for Busting Brackets has been released, and the ACC basketball conference received eight bids, tied for the most of any league. The ACC team that received the very last bid was Syracuse 13-6 (2-4), one of the “last four teams in.”
This team was considered “safe” a couple of weeks ago, but a four-game skid has put them in the danger zone. They were able to snap that losing streak in their only game of the week against Pittsburgh, but the Panthers represent nothing positive in terms of a win.
A team that is looking to get into the picture is Boston College 13-7 (3-4), who does have a number of losses but will always have that home win over Duke in their pocket. The Eagles split their last two games, beating Florida State at home before losing at Louisville.
This team is led by a trio of perimeter players in Ky Bowman (16.3 ppg), Jerome Robinson (18.3 ppg), and Jordan Chatman (13.4 ppg), one of the top scoring set of guards in the country. What should scare Syracuse fans is the shooting ability of the three. Combined, they have made 146 three-pointers on the season, spread out pretty evenly between the three.
That’s important because this game will be won and lost from either side from beyond the arc. The frontcourt for the Eagles has played well of late, but will be outmatched against the frontline for the Orange. Because of the 2-3 zone, Syracuse will give up a ton of threes, although only 33% goes in. Boston College is shooting 38% in conference play, and has made the second most three-pointers.
Next: Latest ACC power rankings
A lot of times for Syracuse, teams that have multiple players that can shoot the ball well can beat them, regardless of the talent disparity. But that’s not the case in this one, with Boston College having the players to handle this kind of defense. I think they hoist up a ton of shots, but the Eagles will make enough from the arc to win.
Prediction: Syracuse 70 – Boston College 75
Bonus Prediction: Eagles shoot 14-38 from deep