No. 15 Syracuse (2-0) takes on Connecticut (2-0) in Madison Square Garden Thursday at 7 p.m. The Orange and Huskies faced off at MSG last year on Dec. 5, 2017 with SU taking the victory, 72-63. The winner of Thursday’s matchup will face either Iowa or No. 13 Oregon.

Charlie DiSturco (2-0)
Onto the next one
Syracuse 71, Connecticut 60

Syracuse still has a lot to improve on when the Orange faces its first real competition of the season in Connecticut. SU’s offense has stumbled early on and the Huskies bring in an experienced backcourt and overall strong defense, as it ranks 61st in the country in turnover percentage. Against Morehead State, the Orange struggled early on, turning the ball over 11 times in the first half. By game’s end, freshman point guard had four turnovers in 15 minutes. With Frank Howard likely out on Thursday, it will be crucial for Jalen Carey and Tyus Battle to facilitate the offense and break the Huskies pressure. There’s no question Syracuse’s offense is talented. It just hasn’t come full circle. With a triple threat in Battle, Oshae Brissett and Elijah Hughes, the Orange’s offense will finally fully click and pull away from its former Big East rival late in the semifinals of the 2K Classic at Madison Square Garden.

Matthew Gutierrez (2-0)
Magic in Manhattan
Syracuse 65, UConn 57

Expect another low-scoring, close game between the former Big East rivals. MSG was packed last year for the same matchup and there should be another strong crowd this week. We’ll get an initial look at Syracuse away from the Carrier Dome — and another look at the Orange amid its point-guard flux. I anticipate a defensive battle that ends up a victory for SU.

Billy Heyen (2-0)
Not enough bite
Syracuse 77, UConn 70

Syracuse beat Morehead State by 14. The Huskies beat MSU by 10 two days earlier. That sample size of one common opponent suggests that there isn’t a huge gulf in class here. The Connecticut guards should pose some issue in the same way that Morehead State’s guards did, by pressuring anyone running the SU offense with Frank Howard still out hurt. Jalen Adams and Alterique Gilbert are one of the better backcourt combos that the Orange will play this season. But Syracuse should have enough strength in the frontcourt to overpower the Huskies and advance to the championship game of the 2K Classic on Friday.

Published on November 15, 2018 at 12:39 pm