Syracuse (2-0) squares off with Elon (2-1) at 7 p.m. in the Carrier Dome on Saturday, and here’s how The Daily Orange beat writers see the game unfolding.

Sam Blum (2-0)
Syracuse 80, Elon 62
Welcome to Paradise
Well, not quite yet. All that stands between Syracuse and a trip to the beautiful Bahamas is a an Elon team that is looking to start SU’s “vacation” off on the wrong foot. The Battle 4 Atlantis officially starts on Saturday, and the Orange wrings in the Thanksgiving season with a fast, fun and frenetic win over the Phoenix.

Jesse Dougherty (2-0)
Syracuse 79, Elon 57
Ordering the Phoenix
Elon has a lot of shooters and will be able to spread out Syracuse’s zone, but the lack of a low-post threat will make it harder for those shooters to find space. If Syracuse commits to letting penetration set up perimeter looks, the Phoenix will have trouble competing from the start. But if the Orange settles for long jumpers early, the visitors will have a sliver of hope until right before halftime, when a sizable run ruins all the fun.

Matt Schneidman (2-0)
Syracuse 73, Elon 58
Elon-gated
Syracuse’s length will be too much for a Phoenix team whose strength is on the outside. Trevor Cooney and Malachi Richardson have shown an ability to create and draw fouls when their shots aren’t sinking, posing a second layer to an SU offense already with more weapons than last year. The Orange cruises to the Bahamas with an easy win, avoiding the early upset other national names have suffered.