Syracuse Sizzles into Clemson Showdown, Desperate for NCAA Tournament Berth
The Syracuse Orange are peaking at the perfect time, riding a four-game win streak that includes a thrilling home upset of North Carolina. Now, on March 5th, they head to hostile territory to take on the Clemson Tigers – a team that beat them 77-68 in Syracuse back in February.
Clemson opened as a -9.5 favorite with a total of 153 at Betonline Sportsbook.
Syracuse sits firmly on the NCAA Tournament bubble and desperately needs this road victory. Beating Clemson, a projected 5-seed, would significantly boost their resume, especially considering their best road win currently came back in January over Pitt. [invalid URL removed] gives them only a 49% chance of making the dance.
Meanwhile, Clemson has won six of their last eight but stumbles into this matchup after a 69-62 loss to Notre Dame on the road. Despite the minor setback, the Tigers boast an impressive 20-9 record, including dominant home-court advantage at 11-4.
The stark contrast between these teams lies in their quality road wins. Clemson’s victories at Alabama, Pittsburgh, and North Carolina outshine anything Syracuse has achieved away from home. Models favor a comfortable Clemson win at 79-71, but don’t discount a red-hot Syracuse team whose season hangs in the balance. Expect a close battle where the Orange will be looking to grab any edge they can.
Key Points to Watch:
- PJ Hall vs. Judah Mintz: The leading scorers for both squads will look to take over and put their teams in a position to win.
- Battle for the ACC Double Bye: Clemson needs this win to keep hopes alive for the coveted fourth double-bye in the ACC Tournament.
- Syracuse’s Streak: The Orange have caught fire, scoring 80+ points in all four recent victories. Can they keep it up against a tough Clemson defense?
- Syracuse’s Turnover Prowess: Syracuse forces the second-most turnovers in the ACC. Will Clemson protect the ball?
- Senior Night Motivation: It could be PJ Hall’s final game at Littlejohn, adding emotion and energy for the Tigers.