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After Virginia Tech snapped Syracuse’s four-game win streak on Saturday, the Orange return to the Dome for their second game against Boston College. That loss was the Orange’s first without center Jesse Edwards, who fractured his wrist a week prior.

Now, with a week of rest, Syracuse will prepare to face fellow Dutch center Quinten Post. When the two sides last faced, Post recorded a double-double off the bench with 14 points and 14 rebounds, while Edwards struggled, racking up fouls and finishing with zero points. It gave Syracuse a glimpse into what its defensive coverage of Post will require this weekend, since Edwards has been ruled out for the season.

Here’s what our beat writers think will happen when Syracuse hosts Boston College on Saturday:

Andrew Crane (17-8)
Rinse, repeat
Syracuse 68, Boston College 58

What appeared to be an easy, straightforward win in Chestnut Hill last week will likely end up serving as one of the most pivotal games of the Orange’s season after Edwards’ injury. He, along with all of Syracuse’s forwards, struggled to guard and rebound against Post inside, and I’m curious if BC tries to capitalize on that matchup more given that Edwards won’t play at all on Saturday. Still, this is a matchup SU wins because of its offense and the fact that it’s a group capable of scoring significantly more points than the Eagles. The Orange will certainly lose games because of Edwards’ absence going forward, like the loss to Virginia Tech. But Saturday won’t be one of them, though the Eagles could keep it close for a bit if Frank Anselem struggles inside.

Roshan Fernandez (15-10)
The definition of a gimme
Syracuse 79, Boston College 68

Less than two weeks ago, Syracuse took care of business against Boston College despite Edwards’ only zero-point performance of the season. The Orange looked far from convincing for many stretches on offense, and though the Eagles scored 40 points in the paint, they still couldn’t top 65 points, and the Orange won by nine. That was on the road where SU is 3-6. It’s 9-3 at home this season, and taking care of the Eagles — even with Anselem at center instead of Edwards — should be straightforward. I thought Anselem actually looked very impressive against VT despite the loss, providing a dominant presence on the glass (15 rebounds). Anselem’s development on the offensive end will likely take time, but BC is definitely a good spot for him to get going. I sheepishly called the previous BC matchup “not quite a gimme” in my predictions, but I think this one in the Dome is the definition of a “gimme.”

Gaurav Shetty (14-11)
Back to form
Syracuse 80, Boston College 62

Syracuse’s nine-point win over Boston a couple weeks ago was not as big as the scoreline might’ve suggested. After the game, head coach Jim Boeheim said that if the Eagles had hit a few 3-pointers then they may have completed the comeback. BC finished the night 6-for-28 from 3 that game after missing 14 long distance shots in the first half. Much of its success came down low through Post, whose double-double took advantage of Edwards’ foul trouble. Edwards played just 13 minutes and scored no points, and he fractured his wrist in that game, ruling him out for the season. Even without Edwards this Saturday, I expect Syracuse to get another win over BC. It won’t be comfortable, but if SU can beat BC when Edwards was essentially a nonfactor, the Orange can beat BC when he’s injured too.

Published on February 16, 2022 at 8:56 pm