Men’s Basketball Preview: Boston College vs Syracuse

What

It was a frustrating night inside Conte Forum but BC needs to shake of the cold spell quickly. The Eagles played much better than the score indicated but in the end to quote Monday Night Football’s Booger McFarland “If you don’t score more point than the other team, you do not win the game.” Freak nights like Saturday’s loss to Georgia Tech happen but BC needs to find its groove in order to beat a Syracuse team that like the Yellow Jackets are better than their record.

Where

Carrier Dome

Syracuse, NY

When

January 14th, 2020

6:30 pm

How To Watch

The game is going to be broadcast on the new ACC Network, which can be found on channel 612 for DirecTV, 402 for Dish Network, 388 for Spectrum, and for Verizon Fios channel is 329 for standard definition and channel 829 for high-def.

The game will also be available to those subscribed to the ACC Network via the ESPN app.

Furthermore, the ACC Network is available to those with subscriptions to Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, or Playstation VUE.

You can also find a TV provider with ACC Network by going on GetACC.com

How to Listen

The radio broadcast will be on WEEI 850 AM

Previewing the Orange

Syracuse is not having the type of season that many basketball fans expect of team with their history. Jim Boeheim’s squad is 9-7 and only 2-3 in the ACC. Syracuse’s biggest wins this season have come against BC’s last two opponents, Virginia (they lost to Virginia in the opener) and Georgia Tech, although the Tech was without Jose Alvarado at the time. However, Syracuse schedule has not been easy. They’ve played Iowa, Georgetown, Oklahoma St, Virginia twice, and a Penn State team that is on the rise. Even with a 9-7 record, the Orange are still scoring 73 points per game and only allowing 66.1. Syracuse has become a better scoring team as the season’s gone on not scoring less than 54 points since their opening loss to Virginia.

Players to Watch

Elijah Hughes. The Junior forward is the team’s leading scorer with 19.5 points per game, shooting 44% from the field and nearly 41% from beyond the arc. Hughes’s is also Syracuse’s leader in assists and third on the team in rebounds. This will be the guy BC needs to slow down. I’d imagine he’ll be the responsibility of Jared Hamilton or Jairus, if he’s healthy.

How Does BC Win?

Emulate the first half of the Georgia Tech game. Against Georgia Tech BC was atrocious shooting the basketball, but they were not bad shots, at least, not in the first half. The Eagles were getting to the right spots and getting good looks...they just weren’t going in. BC also played well defensively for the first half and kept the game within reach. If BC can replicate that effort against Syracuse, and assuming more shots go in, they can manage to upset Syracuse. Doing that in the Carrier Dome will be the hard part.

Prediction

BC - 67 / Syracuse 72