Duke vs. Syracuse: College basketball game preview, TV schedule

Syracuse was ever so close to getting a signature win against North Carolina. Will the Orange rebound versus the other ACC juggernaut?

TV schedule: Saturday, February 24, 6:15 p.m. ET. ESPN

Arena: Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina

The updated Bracketology for Busting Brackets has come out, and it’s not good news for Syracuse 18-10 (7-8). Jim Boeheim’s team was listed as the “First Four Out”, a spot where they seem to have been all conference season.

The Orange had a chance to change that on Wednesday with a home game against North Carolina. They trailed most of the game, but a furious comeback by the three-headed monster of Tyus Battle, Oshae Brissett and Frank Howard allowed the team to tie it up, before ultimately losing at the end. The trio combined for 66 of the team’s 74 points total.

Now Syracuse needs to find another high quality win. And in their luck they get to face Duke 23-5 (11-4). The Blue Devils have won four games in a row, all without their star player Marvin Bagley III. He’s been dealing with a knee issue, and it’s unclear if he’ll play in Saturday’s game. In fact, there are those who believe that he shouldn’t play in the foreseeable future, at the risk of making the injury worse.

In the meantime, Duke continues to roll, including an 82-56 beat-down over Louisville. Grayson Allen had 28 points to lead all scorers, and looks like a new man ever since Bagley went down. Wendell Carter Jr. also has looked better, scoring 18 points against the Cardinals.

Next: Latest ACC power rankings

This is the only meeting between these teams in the regular season, and Syracuse needs this one badly. They do have the regular season finale against Clemson as another chance, but a win against the Blue Devils could clinch their ticket to March Madness. There’s not going to be many scorers in this game, but Duke should have enough at home to take care of the Orange.

Prediction: Duke 83 – Syracuse 7