Syracuse will try to snap a two-game losing streak when it hosts Wake Forest on Saturday evening. Here’s a preview of the game.
- Teams: Syracuse Orange (9-11, 3-6 ACC) v. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (17-4, 7-3)
- Date: Saturday, Jan. 29
- Game Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
- Network: ACC Network
Saugat Sen
Fearless Prediction: Wake Forest 85, Syracuse 70
The Juice Online Season Record: 7-2 (ACC)
Syracuse will welcome Wake Forest into the Dome this Saturday, and the two teams could not be headed in more opposite directions at this time of season. Wake Forest is currently tied for second place in the ACC, while SU is only one game above last place in conference play.
The biggest challenge for the struggling Syracuse zone will be containing the powerful Wake Forest offense. The Demon Deacons boast the ACC’s leading scorer and leading assist man in Alondes Williams. Williams forms a tough one-two punch with Jake LaRavia, who is shooting at almost 60 percent from the field.
Meanwhile, Syracuse’s defense continues to struggle to stop opponents. SU is ranked a paltry 217th in defensive efficiency according to KenPom, and is surrendering 75.3 ppg. Even though the Orange held the Panthers to 64 points in an 11-point loss, Pittsburgh also shot over 50 percent after halftime.
» Related: Syracuse’s shoot woes continue in loss to Pitt
Syracuse’s best chances of winning games has been to outshoot its opponents, but he Orange outside shooting has disappeared in consecutive losses to Pitt and Duke. Syracuse’s top shooters—Joe Girard (13%), Cole Swider (15%) and Buddy Boeheim (20%)—are all struggling at the same time during the two-game stretch.
I see a cold shooting Syracuse team struggling to stop a red hot Wake Forest offense, and the game will get out of hand way before halftime. The Demon Deacons will increase their win streak to five and put away the Orange.
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