An intriguing ACC matchup is bound to set your Wednesday night ablaze, as the Syracuse Orange go on the road to square off with the 18th-ranked Louisville Cardinals for the first time this season. Expect a down-to-the-wire game between two of the country’s top defensive teams. Who will reign supreme over the other? Will the Orange stay hot? Or will the Cardinals get back on track?
Let’s now take a closer look at this bout below. And if you’re yearning for some more college hoops action, check out our preview of the Duke Blue Devils vs. North Carolina Tar Heels.
Syracuse Orange vs. Louisville Cardinals Preview
Where: KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, Kentucky
When: Wednesday, February 17, 2016, 7:00 PM ET
Line: Syracuse Orange (+8) at Louisville Cardinals (-8)– view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Syracuse Orange (18-8, 8-5 ACC)
Gbinije leads the team in scoring with 17.4 PPG and has managed to put 10 or more points in all of his games this year. He’s also made his presence felt in other departments, grabbing 4.0 RPG and 4.3 APG. But it’ll be interesting to see how Gbinije will perform opposite a Louisville defense that’s only allowing 60.8 PPG.
If he does end up struggling, the Orange can still turn to the pair of Malachi Richardson and Trevor Cooney for some offense. Both guards have been very reliable this year with 13.6 PPG and 13.3 PPG respectively.
On defense, they’ll need to keep a close eye on the likes of Damion Lee and Trey Lewis. The two are the Cardinals’ main point-getters and are bound to be a handful especially when they find a rhythm. The Orange’s defense (64.4 points allowed per game) has done a solid job in limiting opponents below their usual numbers this season.
Syracuse is 4-6 SU and 5-5 ATS in its last 10 games on the road.
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Betting on the Louisville Cardinals (19-6, 8-4 ACC)
Even with a 43-36 halftime lead, the No. 18 Louisville Cardinals couldn’t take care of business down the stretch as they allowed Notre Dame to rally back and eventually hand them their sixth loss of the season last Saturday. That setback also marked their third loss in the previous five games. But now, the Cardinals will have a chance to end their slump in front of their home crowd against the visiting Syracuse Orange.
Damion Lee is definitely not going to waste any time in imposing his will on this game. He’s been able to gradually relocate his form after missing out on their game against Boston College due to a minor knee injury. In his previous two contests, Lee has racked up 23 points combined and is shooting just 7-of-28 from the field. It’s worth noting, however, that he knocked down four threes in their game versus the Fighting Irish.
Furthermore, the Cardinals can still put their trust on Trey Lewis and Quentin Snider as other scoring options. Lewis, in particular, has been quite productive lately as he’s managed to finish with 11 or more points in his past three contests.
Snider, meanwhile, is only averaging 9.8 PPG this season, but has posted 12 points in each of his previous two outings. He’ll be trying to sustain this momentum versus a Syracuse defense that’s allowing 69.4 points on the road.
Louisville is 9-1 SU and 6-4 ATS in its previous 10 games at home.
Writer’s Prediction
Louisville (-8) wins, 71-62.
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