Syracuse (18-10, 9-6 Atlantic Coast) returns to North Carolina to take on Wake Forest (11-16, 4-11) on Saturday at noon. The Orange are coming off two-straight losses to top-five teams while the Demon Deacons just pulled out a one-point win over Miami.

Here’s what our beat writers expect to happen.

Billy Heyen (21-7)
Let’s go dancing
Syracuse 77, Wake Forest 63

Charlie and I have agreed that a win at Wake Forest locks Syracuse into the NCAA Tournament. And there’s really no reason that shouldn’t happen. The Demon Deacons are worse than the Orange in almost every way, and SU should welcome an unranked opponent for a change. Count on the superior talent of Syracuse to show and prevent a season-ruining loss.

Charlie DiSturco (19-9)
Sleeping forest
Syracuse 65, Wake Forest 58

This is a game Syracuse cannot afford to lose. Coming off its toughest stretch of the season and a date with Virginia on Monday, there’s no doubt the Orange will come into Winston-Salem fired up. The Demon Deacons are the worst team in the ACC standings. As Billy said: win and you’re in. Expect SU to start off hot and lead for the majority of the game, with Tyus Battle once again guiding the Orange.

Matthew Gutierrez (16-12)
Sailing through Winston-Salem
Syracuse 62, Wake Forest 55

There’s little doubt Syracuse won’t escape with a win Saturday afternoon in Winston-Salem. With three games left, Syracuse can boost, even solidify a No. 10, No. 9 or No. 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Sandwiched between top-five opponents (North Carolina and Virginia), WFU won’t be able to keep up.

Published on March 1, 2019 at 1:59 pm