Syracuse basketball is looking to cement their place in the ACC tournament, as they travel to Cassell Coliseum for a matchup with Virginia Tech. Keep reading for a full Syracuse vs Virginia Tech Prediction.
Syracuse enters Saturday’s contest at 6-11 in ACC play. The Orange lead the all-time series against Virginia Tech 13-7. However, in Cassell Coliseum the Hokies are 5-4, against Syracuse.
Game information:
Teams: Syracuse (12-16, 6-11) and Virginia Tech (12-16, 7-10)
Tip-off: Noon EST
Watch: The CW
Listen: Syracuse Sports Network/ VT Sports Network
Latest on Virginia Tech basketball:
Last time out, Virginia Tech fell to no. 19 Louisville in Blacksburg. The Hokies were led by Brandon Rechsteiner, who had 18 points and hit four triples. After Tuesday’s loss, the Hokies are one of just two teams in the ACC with a losing record on their home floor.
Tobi Lawal is the only Virginia Tech player who averages in double figures with 12.5 points per game. However, the Hokies have eight players averaging over five points per game. But it has been Virginia Tech’s bench that has elevated the Hokies in conference play. So far this season, the Hokies’ bench is scoring 26.4 points per game. In the last two games, against Miami and Louisville, the Hokies have scored 95 points off the bench.
The Hokies play at a slower tempo than most other teams in the ACC, ranked just outside the top 300 according to KenPom’s adjusted tempo metric. This leads to Virginia Tech scoring just 69 points per game, the second-fewest in the conference. Also, while they do not live and die by the three, the Hokies shoot 36%, which is sixth-best in the conference.
If the Hokies’ bench can continue to thrive and threes are falling in Cassell Coliseum, the Hokies will have a great chance to claim sole possession of 9th place in the ACC.
Latest on Syracuse basketball:
Syracuse basketball is coming off a key win over NC State in their quest to make the ACC tournament. On Wednesday, the Orange never trailed and defeated the Wolfpack 74-60. This 14-point margin of victory was the largest in an ACC game by the Orange this season. They were led by J.J. Starling, who had 17 points, while Eddie Lampkin Jr. picked up his 12th double-double of the season.
Lampkin has been the focal point of Syracuse’s offensive attack. After losing Donnie Freeman for the remainder of the season, the Colorado transfer has become one of the most dominant big men in the conference. In Wednesday’s win, he notched 14 points and 15 rebounds. This was the 15th time this season Lampkin has achieved double-digit rebounds.
After early season struggles from behind the arc, the Orange have steadily improved. Currently, Syracuse is shooting 32.7% from behind the arc. However, in the win over NC State, they only attempted eight triples, converting on three of these attempts. If the Orange can run their offense from the painted area, they will be one step closer to cementing their spot in Charlotte.
Syracuse vs Virginia Tech Prediction: Hokies by 6
Both teams are riding the momentum of solid performances last time out. However, the Hokies’ recent bench play will cause problems for the Orange who have struggled to find a deep rotation. In the end, the Hokies will be hungry to avenge their loss to Louisville and win a close one in Blacksburg.