After two-straight wins, Syracuse (10-7, 3-3 Atlantic Coast) travels to Virginia Tech (13-4, 4-2) for the second game between the two teams this season Saturday at noon. The Orange lost to the Hokies two weeks ago in a close game at the Carrier Dome.

Below, The Daily Orange beat writers predict if Syracuse will win its third-straight after an 0-2 start to the new year.

Nick Alvarez (13-4)
Gobble (gulp) Gobble
Virginia Tech 76, Syracuse 70

That Boston College pick was definitely my worst of the season. So am I now going to start picking Syracuse to win the games it should win? Nope. Virginia Tech is a good shooting team which beat SU in a similar manner on Jan. 7. And while the Orange have shown a proclivity to limit bad offenses from deep in wins over Virginia and BC, the Hokies shouldn’t have that same problem. Jalen Cone sunk the Orange with five 3s and that was with leading-scorer Landers Nolley II going 1-for-11 from 3. Give me the Hokies in a bounce back performance from Nolley.

Michael McCleary (11-6)
Hokies? More like… phonies.
Syracuse 74, Virginia Tech 67

Virginia Tech came into the Carrier Dome its last game against Syracuse threatening to shoot the 3-pointer at a high volume and rate. And then they didn’t. At least not the whole game. Look, let’s be real: I’m hesitant about this pick. But Syracuse is coming off a blowout win after its best win of the season. The Orange probably can’t do enough given the tough opponents it has ahead to work itself into the NCAA Tournament, but perhaps this stretch of games will be the one that gives the committee pause as SU sits on the bubble. That’s definitely in the mind of Syracuse players, who have all been playing better recently. The Hokies didn’t look amazing in the Dome, maybe that’s enough.

Josh Schafer (13-4)
Long road back
Virginia Tech 78 Syracuse 69

So Syracuse has won two games in a row in the conference for the first time all year. Perhaps that means Syracuse is a little better than it showed to start the season. But that doesn’t mean Syracuse is going to win every game against comparable teams for the rest of the season. That starts with this Virginia Tech game on the road which is a winnable game but not an easy win. The Hokies shoot the ball well and rely on the long range shot frequently and that could sink the Orange. Combine Virginia Tech’s shooting with a home crowd and Syracuse won’t be able to pull off two consecutive road wins in the ACC.

Published on January 18, 2020 at 9:26 am