Our picks for the yearly match between fruit and toothpaste schools
Syracuse Orange men’s basketball (1-0) returns to the JMA Dome tonight for the 176th entry in the interstate clash with the Colgate Raiders (1-1). Tip-off is at 7 and the game will be broadcast on ACCNX and ESPN+.
SU rallied to snap their two-game skid in this series last year, but will they get their own winning streak going again? Here are our thoughts:
Szuba: Syracuse 78, Colgate 74
This isn’t as much a vote of confidence for the Orange as much as it’s a lack of faith in this year’s Colgate squad. The Raiders have already suffered defeat to Drexel and although the Dragons have been a solid program in recent years, a double-digit defeat leads me to believe Colgate isn’t at the peak of its powers. We’re battling a lot of unknowns here but once again Syracuse should be able to do enough on the offensive end to get over the hump. And I’m very much looking forward to the Jeff Woodward vs. Eddie Lampkin matchup. I’ll take the Orange but until the defense locks in I can’t pick SU to win by a wider margin in good faith.
Mike: Syracuse 76, Colgate 70
The Raiders have had sole claim of the Patriot League the past six years, but they’ve certainly not started this campaign on the right foot. Losing to Drexel isn’t the worst thing, but shooting an almost incomprehensible 4/25 from distance while doing so? It’s so unlike a Matt Langel team to ever be off that much from the perimeter. If it wasn’t for that performance, I’d probably be amending my preseason predictions to count an Orange loss tonight. Instead, I’ll count on a game with some sloppy play from both sides, where SU barely pulls away down the stretch just like opening night. TL;DR – a win without finesse.
Dom: Syracuse 83, Colgate 74
Similar sentiment as James and Mike, although I really do think we’ll get a sense of how consistent the offense can be and the different options Syracuse will have to score the ball. The Orange have had their past struggles versus Colgate, but this is a different version of the Raiders compared to what Syracuse fans have recently seen. After shooting that bad from three versus Drexel, Colgate should be do for some regression to the mean on three-point shooting which keeps the Orange’s margin of victory only in the single-digits.
Sam: Syracuse 81, Colgate 70
I think this game will be closer than the final score, as Syracuse will outlast a Colgate team that isn’t quite as talented or deep as they’ve been in years past. My fear for SU is that if the Raiders come out of the brakes draining their threes, just like they did last year, and build up a lead, especially coming off a 4-25 performance at Drexel. Syracuse tightened up and played not to lose against Le Moyne. It’s cliche, but the Orange must play to win from the first minute, don’t let anybody else dictate the flow of the game.
Kevin: Syracuse 84, Colgate 72
This Colgate team probably isn’t as good this year as the last three, but they are still going to cause the Orange problems. We know what will happen, the Raider come into this game making only 26% of their 3’s early in the season, so they probably start off like 4-7 tonight. I think Syracuse needs to focus on getting the ball inside early and often. After Jeff Woodward, Colgate doesn’t have a lot of size so the Orange need to attack the lane.
Max: Syracuse 78, Colgate 64
It’s still early in the season, but this Colgate team looks a lot different from years past. Sure, the Raiders will knock down more than four threes in this one, but the Orange take early control and set the tone down low. The Le Moyne game was way too close for comfort, but Syracuse gained valuable experience that helps it tonight. The Orange will have noticeably better chemistry and be much more in sync, leading to a double-digit win.
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