Two days before traveling to Virginia Tech, Syracuse (13-5, 4-1 Atlantic Coast) hosts Miami (9-8, 1-4) at the Carrier Dome. The Hurricanes are coming off a loss to North Carolina, while the Orange have won back-to-back games.

Here’s what our beat writers think will happen Thursday night.

Billy Heyen (14-4)
Sunny days ahead
Syracuse 74, Miami 66

SU is coming off a week that might define its season, and don’t expect a slip-up against an undersized Miami team with just one conference win. 5-foot-7 Chris Lykes should cause issues for the Orange, as many star guards have this season. But Syracuse shouldn’t be outclassed by anyone else on Jim Boeheim Court on Thursday night. Expect Tyus Battle to continue his hot scoring against smaller defenders and the Orange to head to Blacksburg on Saturday on a three-game win streak.

Charlie DiSturco (13-5)
Weathering the storm
Syracuse 72, Miami 67

Syracuse is beginning to find its groove and, before a three-game road trip, will face a struggling Miami team. As I’ve said before, winning home games — especially against unranked conference opponents — are a necessity down-the-stretch. The Hurricanes are not a team to take lightly, as their offense ranks No. 62 in adjusted efficiency, per Kenpom.com. Expect this game to go down to the wire with Battle continuing his dominant scoring streak, as the Orange remain atop the ACC heading into Blacksburg.  

Matthew Gutierrez (12-6)
Category 1 Hurricane
Syracuse 70, Miami 64

Figure we’ve got another close ACC game Thursday night at the Dome. Make no mistake, every conference team is capable of beating Syracuse, even at home. But Miami 2019 isn’t quite the Miami that made the Sweet 16 three and six years ago, respectively. Syracuse should improve to, wow, 5-1 in conference play ahead of an important trip to Virginia Tech this weekend. Momentum from a win over Miami would give the Orange a boost come Blacksburg on Saturday primetime.

Published on January 23, 2019 at 4:46 pm