Coming off another conference road loss, Syracuse (15-7, 4-5 Atlantic Coast) hosts No. 2 Virginia (21-1, 10-0) at 4 p.m. on Saturday. Last season, desperate for a resume booster, Syracuse won 66-62 against a then-No. 9 Virginia team. Find out if our beat writers think Syracuse will repeat last year’s heroics again.

Matthew Gutierrez (19-3)

Maybe next year
Virginia 70, Syracuse 54

The Cavaliers are on a tear. Syracuse, not so much. While SU stayed in contention last month in Charlottesville, the Cavaliers are since much improved, riding a 61-36 win against Top 25 team Clemson, a two-point victory at Cameron Indoor and a 10-point win over Louisville. The best part of Saturday afternoon, aside from seeing one of the best defenses this century, should be a good Carrier Dome environment.

Sam Fortier (17-5)

No more magic
Virginia 58, Syracuse 38

It might be closer than this because ACC teams have been tough at home this season, but Syracuse enters this game as cold as it’s been all year and Virginia, the best team in the country, has never been hotter. Virginia showed in its impressive close-out of the Orange over winter break that it can handle the pressure, unlike in years past. Syracuse has desperation on its side, but Virginia has perimeter shooting and the pack-line defense. Give me the Cavs.

Tomer Langer (16-6)

Pack it in
Virginia 64, Syracuse 44

Virginia has the ability to stifle even the strongest offenses in the country, as it did in wins over Duke and North Carolina. Syracuse is on the opposite end of the spectrum in having one of the worst offenses in the league. The Orange has shown little to no ability to actually create any offense. Against the pack-line, I don’t think that’s going to change.

Published on February 2, 2018 at 1:51 pm