Syracuse March Madness Predictions

Article Updated March 14th, 2010

When talking about the top teams in the country Syracuse is no doubt being mentioned. Being ranked no lower than 5th in the nation since Week 9 of the NCAA basketball season, the Orange have been the cream of the Big East crop. Syracuse heads into the tournament on a bit of downslide as they were upset in the Big East quarterfinals Thursday by Georgetown, and before that lost their last game of the season to Louisville by 10 points. The Syracuse Orange still have had a very impressive season with their 28-4 overall record, and are expected to be named a #1 seed later on this afternoon.

Syracuse Orange Tournament Prediction

The Syracuse basketball program has developed well over the last decade or two and have become regulars in the NCAA March Madness Tournament. The first and only Championship came in 2003 for the Orange, who have made 4 Final Four appearances in 32 trips to the tournament. After 1st round knockouts in the 05 and 06 tournaments, the team did not qualify again until 2009, where they were ousted by Oklahoma in the Regional Semi Final. The Orange have a pretty solid overall record of 50-32 in the NCAA Tournament all time. Although the Orange have had a solid 2010 season, I look for them to the the first #1 seed eliminated from the NCAA tournament. Look for the Orange to be upset in the Eilte Eight round.

Click Here To Place A Bet On SYRACUSE During The March Madness

How do you think Syracuse will do? Leave your comments below!

blog comments powered by Disqus

Article Written February 17th, 2010

Team Offense - The Syracuse offense is quarterbacked by Junior Forward Wesley Johnson, who averages the most on the team with 16 points and almost 9 rebounds per game. The Syracuse offense that averages around 74 points per game has been a little more quiet in the second half of this season. The Orange scored 75+ points in all 13 games leading up to their 10-point loss to Pittsburgh on January 2nd. After that, the Orange have managed 75 points in just 5 of 11 contests, that includes a 59 point effort in a 2-point victory over last place DePaul on January 30th. Syracuse may have to rely on their ability to hit shots from beyond the arc in the later rounds of the NCAA Tournament if they have any dreams of cutting the mesh in March.

Team Defense - Like the offense, the Syracuse defense is led by Wesley Johnson, who leads the team in defensive rebounds this year with 173, but it's Senior Guard Andy Rautins leading the way in the turnover category for the Orange with 55 steals on the season. Junior Forward Rick Jackson, along with Johnson are the big boys in the paint for the Orange, as Jackson has 55 blocks on the year while Johnson is at a solid 44. The Orange average around 10 steals per game as it will look for its defense to turn into offense in the transition game. The Syracuse Orange defense that averages around 65 points per game allowed, has not allowed more than 82 points against all season long and has looked fairly sound as of late, not giving up more than 71 points against in their last 10 games overall.