PREMIUM
Rogers' ESPN2 SHOWCASE >> 25-15-1 YTD in College Hoops!
(NCAAB) Connecticut vs. Syracuse,
Point Spread: 9.00 | -105.00 Connecticut (Away)
Result: Win
Point Spread: 9.00 | -105.00 Connecticut (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: UConn is off to a disappointing 3-4 start, considering the Huskies were ranked 18th in the AP's preseason poll. Syracuse was ranked 19th in the preseason and currently sits 22nd at 5-2 but that will change before tip-off with a new poll being released Monday afternoon. The Orange fell way short in Madison mid-week against the Badgers, as Wisconsin won 77-60. As members of the Big East Conference, the Syracuse Orange and Connecticut Huskies played some of the most memorable games in college basketball history at Madison Square Garden. However, as they return to the Garden tonight, the two schools will be more concerned with finding their respective identities.
UConn: The Huskies are down to eight scholarship players because of season-ending injuries to freshman PG Alterique Gilbert (shoulder), freshman forward Mamadou Diarra (knee) and sophomore swingman Terry Larrier (knee). Larrier was averaging 13.5 PPG and Gilbert 10.3 PPG. Sophomore guard Adams (18.0-5.0-5.4) has made big strides from last year (7.3 PPG) and Rodney Short (11.3 & 4.1) has proven to be a reliable double digit score, now in his third season after transferring from NC State. UConn keeps hoping 7-0 center Amida Brimah will have a breakout season but it's his senior year and his current 7.0 & 5.1 numbers say, it's just more of the same.
Syracuse: The Orange led by as many as 24 in the second half against North Florida before the Ospreys got within five in an eventual 77-71 decision. Fifth-year transfer Andrew White III scored a season-high 26 points to raise his average to a team-best 17.0 PPG. However, that win did little to erase the bad taste left in Syracuse's mouth by its 77-60 loss at Madison. Wisconsin broke open a close game at the half to by outscoring Syracuse 34-21 after intermission. White shot just 5 of 15 and Syracuse really doesn't have another "go-to" scorer, as only the 6-9 Lydon (10.3 & 7.1) joins him in double digits.
The pick: The Orange and Huskies produced some Madison Square Garden classics such as Syracuse's 127-117 victory in six overtimes in 2009 or UConn's 76-71 overtime win in 2010 when Kemba Walker had 33 points and 12 rebounds. That was then and this is now but it's still Connecticut-Syracuse at the Garden! Taking the points is the bet. Make UConn an 8* play.
UConn: The Huskies are down to eight scholarship players because of season-ending injuries to freshman PG Alterique Gilbert (shoulder), freshman forward Mamadou Diarra (knee) and sophomore swingman Terry Larrier (knee). Larrier was averaging 13.5 PPG and Gilbert 10.3 PPG. Sophomore guard Adams (18.0-5.0-5.4) has made big strides from last year (7.3 PPG) and Rodney Short (11.3 & 4.1) has proven to be a reliable double digit score, now in his third season after transferring from NC State. UConn keeps hoping 7-0 center Amida Brimah will have a breakout season but it's his senior year and his current 7.0 & 5.1 numbers say, it's just more of the same.
Syracuse: The Orange led by as many as 24 in the second half against North Florida before the Ospreys got within five in an eventual 77-71 decision. Fifth-year transfer Andrew White III scored a season-high 26 points to raise his average to a team-best 17.0 PPG. However, that win did little to erase the bad taste left in Syracuse's mouth by its 77-60 loss at Madison. Wisconsin broke open a close game at the half to by outscoring Syracuse 34-21 after intermission. White shot just 5 of 15 and Syracuse really doesn't have another "go-to" scorer, as only the 6-9 Lydon (10.3 & 7.1) joins him in double digits.
The pick: The Orange and Huskies produced some Madison Square Garden classics such as Syracuse's 127-117 victory in six overtimes in 2009 or UConn's 76-71 overtime win in 2010 when Kemba Walker had 33 points and 12 rebounds. That was then and this is now but it's still Connecticut-Syracuse at the Garden! Taking the points is the bet. Make UConn an 8* play.
