Syracuse vs Clemson Odds
| Syracuse Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -102 | 145.5 -115o / -105u | +168 |
| Clemson Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4.5 -120 | 145.5 -115o / -105u | -205 |
We have a battle of oranges on Wednesday night when Syracuse heads south to take on the reeling Clemson Tigers.
It wasn't too long ago that Clemson sat alone in sole possession of first place in the ACC standings.
Since a comeback win at Florida State that put them at 10-1 in conference play, the Tigers have lost four of five, with two of those losses coming to Boston College and Louisville.
The Tigers now reside on the wrong end of the bubble and desperately need this game to get back on track.
Meanwhile, Syracuse continues to beat the teams it should and lose to the upper-echelon teams in the ACC.
The Orange will in all likelihood miss the tournament once again, and there's doubt over what the future looks like for the program as Jim Boeheim continues to age.
How will Clemson perform with its back against the wall? Let's discuss.
Syracuse Orange
Syracuse had a rather poor performance in the non-conference portion of the season, which put it in a tough spot entering league play.
The Orange have made some strides in the ACC and do currently sit above .500 at 9-7.
The product continues to leave something to be desired, however.
Judah Mintz has been really good with the ball in his hands as a freshman.
Joseph Girard III gives Boeheim another veteran guard who is capable of lighting it up from beyond the arc.
Even Jesse Edwards has improved and gives the Orange a legitimate rim protector and above-the-rim rebounder.
As a whole though, Syracuse is a mediocre to poor defensive team that has consistently come up short against top-50 competition.
Mintz is really the only player on the roster who can create his own shot, and the Orange lack a true back-to-the-basket scorer.
The patented Boeheim zone doesn't quite make opponents uncomfortable the way it used to.
Syracuse will need to extend that zone on Wednesday night if it wants to avoid getting lit up by some of Clemson's shooters.
Clemson Tigers
Clemson did the unthinkable on Saturday night — it lost to lowly Louisville in a game it couldn't afford to drop.
Brad Brownell's team now finds itself in a true back-against-the-wall spot at home against Syracuse.
Clemson still has the games remaining to play its way back into the tournament, but getting the victory on Wednesday night is a must.
PJ Hall could be in for a massive night inside against a Cuse team that can be defeated on the offensive glass.
Veteran wing Hunter Tyson is the unquestioned leader of this team, and he should get his fair share of open looks against the zone.
On the other end, expect Chase Hunter to be matched up against either Girard or Mintz for most of the night.
If Clemson can take away the dribble penetration, it should have the formula to make things difficult for the Orange in the half-court.
Syracuse vs. Clemson Betting Pick
I expect Clemson to play well with its back against the wall and secure a victory at home. This is a veteran group that has been through the ebbs and flows of conference play before.
The Tigers should be able to get a ton of good looks from distance against Boeheim's zone, and they have the shooters to knock a good portion down.
Syracuse has not been as good offensively away from home, and I don't think it'll have the firepower to hang with the Tigers in what should be a high-scoring affair.
Give me Clemson to win this one convincingly, covering the four-point number in the process.
