Syracuse is running out of time when it comes to getting back in the at-large picture. Can a win over Louisville get them back in the conversation?
TV schedule: Monday, February 5, 7:00 p.m. ET. ESPN
Arena: KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky
We’re at that point in the season where many starts to really look at Bracketology, projecting where teams will be at if the NCAA tournament started right then and now.
Luckily for Syracuse 15-8 (4-6), Selection Sunday is over a month away, because right now the program would be enjoying another trip to the NIT. That’s because of their resume, or better yet a lack of one. The two best wins are Maryland and Virginia Tech, neither of whom are projected to go dancing. To make matters worse, half of the Orange’s ACC wins are against Pittsburgh, whose 0-11 in league play.
Syracuse lost a pair of games to a couple of defensive stalwarts in Georgia Tech and Virginia, failing to reach 52 points in either game. The fact that only four players took a shot in the Orange’s last game against the Cavaliers, shows the severe limitations the team has on offense this year.
While Syracuse is fighting to get on the bubble, Louisville 16-7 (7-4) is squarely on it, after losing three of the team’s last four games. The last one came on Saturday to Florida State at home, 80-76. It was a close game throughout, with Deng Adel’s 17 points and eight rebounds leading the Cardinals.
This is another quality defensive team that Syracuse will be facing, with just Frank Howard, Oshae Brissett, and Tyus Battle the only scoring threats for the Orange. On the defensive end, 7’2 center Paschal Chukwu will have to avoid getting into foul trouble against the length and athleticism of the Cardinals frontcourt players.
It should be a low-scoring affair, but Syracuse won’t score enough again to win this game on the road.
Prediction: Louisville 68 – Syracuse 57