Miami Hurricanes vs Syracuse Orange: Predictions, Odds and Head-to-Head

Where: Carrier Dome, Syracuse, NY

When: Thursday, January 24th, 8:00 PM EST

How (TV): ACC Network

Miami (Away)

Head Coach: Jim Larranaga {Overall: 9-8 .529 W/L% |Conference: 1-4, 11th ACC}

Miami was in for a tough season coming into this year due to an investigation that severly limited their recruiting capabilities. As such, Miami has been forced to perform with the assets they have and have overall been decent in their performances.

Chris Lykes has been a shining star for the Hurricanes – more on him in the head to head – and has been able to lead Miami in tumultuous times. He is flanked by seniors Anthony Lawrence and Ebuka Izundu who have truly stepped by their games, especially Izundu in the absence of Dewan Hernandez.

The Hurricanes will have to attack Syracuse’s patented 2-3 zone defence. With capable shooters on the squad – Miami is shooting 36% from three – they should be able to force the Orange defenders to rush the three-point line. If they can make intelligent passes off of the Orange rotation, Miami could create for themselves an excellent scoring night.

Syracuse (Home)

Head Coach: Jim Boeheim {Overall: 13-5 .722 W/L% |Conference: 4-1, 4th ACC}

After last weeks loss to Georgia Tech, the Orange responded with back to back wins against number one ranked Duke and Pittsburgh to get them back on track.

Syracuse are in for a difficult match when they host Miami on Thursday evening. While Miami has been in the ACC basement, they boast weapons that worry head coach Jim Boeheim. Miami’s shooting in particular worries coach Boeheim, specifically the shooting of DJ Vasiljevic, who is shooting 43%-89%-44% (FG/FT/3PT) from the field.

The Orange play a brand of basketball that has been exploited from the three point line. With Miami’s combination of attacking talent, they could very well give Syracuse a real challenge in this match up. If the Orange are able to slow the Hurricanes defence and halt their shooting from range, they should be able to come out with an easy win.

Miami Roster Notes

F Deng Gak – OUT (Knee) – A knee injury forces Gak to sit out for the remainder of the season.

C Dewan Hernandez – OUT (Eligibility) – Hernandez’s association with a college basketball corruption case forces him to remain ineligible for selection.

Syracuse Roster Notes

Syracuse has no roster changes to note.

Head-to-Head: Chris Lykes vs Tyus Battle

Chris Lykes

Point Guard | 5-7, 160lb (170cm, 72kg) | Gonzaga College High School | Mitchellville, MD | Sophomore

18.1 PPG | 3.7 APG | 2.6 RPG | 1.5 SPG | 0.0 BPG | 3.2 TOV | .463 FG% | .375 3P%

Tyus Battle

Shooting/Point Guard | 6-6, 205lb (198cm, 92kg) | Gill ST. Bernard’s School | Edison, NJ | Junior

18.2 PPG | 1.9 APG | 3.1 RPG | 1.3 SPG | 0.3 BPG | 1.7 TOV | .457 FG% | .296 3P%

It will be a battle between two dangerous lead guards when Tyus Battle and Chris Lykes square off as Miami takes on Syracuse. Battle has the size advantage as a former shooting guard moved to the point, however Lykes has shown he has the athleticism and craftiness to compete with larger opponents on the perimeter.

Chris Lykes is an absolute joy to watch operate on the basketball court. His athleticism is elite, becoming a blur on the court when he pushes the ball in transition or attacks the hoop. While it’s assumed that due to his small stature he would be taken advantage of defensively, he is aggressive on the ball and has to awareness as a help defender to draw a number of charges.

Tyus Battle has been a revelation for the Orange this season. When injuries demolished Syracuse’s point guard depth, Battle was given the keys to the offence. While he was no stranger to initiating the play, he usually played off the ball in previous seasons. While he has improved greatly, he does still struggle if he has no playmaking outlet on the court as seen when Pittsuburgh pressed him full court in their match. Regardless of his new role, he still maintains elite defensive ability and excellent athleticism and heart that has won him new life for the Orange.

Miami at Syracuse Predictions and Odds

The odds makers have Syracuse favoured over Miami by 8.5, with 115 for the over and 105 for the under.