Syracuse (16-7, 7-3 Atlantic Coast) and Boston College (11-10, 2-7) both lost Tuesday night, SU to Florida State and BC to Duke. Each will be looking for a bounce back in their rematch on Saturday. The Orange won the first meeting, 77-71, in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.

Here’s what our beat writers expect to happen Saturday.

Billy Heyen (18-5)
Deja vu all over again
Syracuse 77, Boston College 71

Yup, that’s the score of the first meeting, and that came even with Tyus Battle going into takeover mode in the second half. Frank Howard and Paschal Chukwu have to return to form before this SU team will be blowing anyone out. So expect Ky Bowman and Jordan Chatman to keep it close, again, but Battle or Oshae Brissett to provide the final difference.

Charlie DiSturco (17-6)
No birds flying here
Syracuse 68, Boston College 64

This game is a must-win, especially after an 18-point loss to Florida State inside the Carrier Dome. Syracuse already downed Boston College before and should be able to hold off the Eagles once again. This Syracuse team is on the NCAA Tournament bubble once again and the margin for error is even slimmer, now. With that said, expect Frank Howard to bounce back and the Orange to pull away late, securing another home win before a rough four-game stretch that includes three Top 25 teams.

Matthew Gutierrez (15-8)
Soaring Eagles
Syracuse 65, Boston College 64

No game will be easy. There’s no need to say games are “must-wins” or “guaranteed wins,” because they all are. Syracuse needs more wins, period. The Orange need to beat Boston College at home. They need to go on the road later this month and beat Top 25 teams. They’re right smack on the bubble right now, in my view, and have their work cut out for them, moving forward. Beating the Eagles won’t be in cruise control.

Published on February 6, 2019 at 11:11 pm