After a first-round NCAA Tournament loss to Baylor ended a 20-14 season, Syracuse tips off its campaign against Virginia on Wednesday night. The Orange won both their exhibition tune-ups ahead of hosting the reigning-national champions in the Carrier Dome. As of Tuesday night, Virginia is a three-point favorite with a total of 126.5 points, per Pinnacle. 

Here’s what our beat writers predict for SU’s opener.

Nick Alvarez
Cavalier Effort
Virginia 68, Syracuse 54

Something still doesn’t feel right about a season-opening conference game, but that won’t change the outcome here. Early-season basketball can lead to rust for offenses facing the pack-line and 2-3 zone. So, both teams will rely on their stars, Mamadi Diakite and Elijah Hughes, for offense. Look for the Orange to rely on the three-ball and limit turnovers. But UVA’s front court will accentuate SU’s center issue. The upperclassmen duo of Diakite and 7-foot-1 Jay Huff have an advantage over Quincy Guerrier and Bourama Sidibe, allowing the Cavaliers to pull away. While Syracuse may have a better showing when these teams meet again in January, talent wins out in November.

Michael McCleary
Hangover averted
Virginia 62, Syracuse 55

Championships hangovers won’t come into play in this game, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be within reach. Virginia’s Mamadi Diakite is expected to be one of the top players in the ACC, but beyond him, Virginia returns just three main rotation players from its championship roster. But Virginia has done fine to reset its team in the past. Syracuse can shoot the ball, and Elijah Hughes will most likely find himself among the top players in the ACC after a strong season-opening performance leading a young Syracuse group. The Orange hasn’t lost a season-opener since 2003, but Virginia is the outlier in 16 years of opponents.

Josh Schafer
Packed in
Virginia 67 Syracuse 57

Predicting an ACC matchup where both teams are replacing top scorers from a year ago might as well be throwing darts into the ocean, especially considering defending national champion UVA enters this game without its three top scorers from a season ago. But in a game with so many uncertainties, a stalwart Virginia defense still feels like a lock. The Cavaliers have had a top-10 ranked team in adjusted defensive efficiency every season since 2014, per KenPom.com. That’s a tough matchup for a Syracuse team that needs to find new scoring options. Meanwhile one of Virginia’s main returners from a year ago is 6-foot-9 forward Mamadi Diakite, who will likely find room to score as newcomers in the SU frontcourt adjust. Syracuse may figure out all the changes throughout the season, but to ask them to have it all solved when the defending champs come to town on opening night is an unrealistic expectation.

Published on November 5, 2019 at 6:50 pm