There are journalists and members of the media that are questioning whether the No. 1 Syracuse Orange should be labeled as the team to beat this year in the NCAA. After all, the Orange have started 20-0 for the first time in their history, and that is in the wake of all of the things that the program has been forced to deal with over the past few months both on and off of the court. There should be no doubt that head coach Jim Boeheim’s team are the frontrunners this season, and Syracuse will look to add to its case this Saturday as Betonline favorites against another Big East rival in the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
(1) Syracuse Orange @ Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Saturday January 21, 2011 – 6:00 PM ET
Joyce Center, Notre Dame, Indiana
College Basketball Betting Line: Syracuse Orange – 7.5
After winning three of their first four games against conference opponents, including victories over ranked opponents in Pittsburgh and at Louisville in double-overtime, the Irish haven’t shown much fight in consecutive losses. It won’t get any easier for them with the Orange in town, although they have performed well at the Joyce Center.
College Basketball Betting Preview: Syracuse
Even more impressive than the fact that Syracuse is still undefeated is the way that they have gotten there. The Orange have won all but one of their games this season by at least eight points, and the way in which they have dominated and controlled the tempo of those sports betting contests makes them that much more imposing. Senior Kris Joseph leads the nation’s 15th-ranked scoring offense with 13.7 points per game, one of seven players averaging at least seven points, which is no surprise considering Syracuse ranks 10th in the nation in average assists with 17.3.
College Basketball Betting Preview: Notre Dame
The biggest reason for Notre Dame’s recent slide has been their inability to execute on offense, putting up totals of 53 and 58 in consecutive losses to Connecticut and Rutgers. The Fighting Irish shot just 39.3-percent in the second half of their loss to the Scarlet Knights, finishing at 44.2-percent for the game, and were forced out of their zone defense to play the man-to-man on the other side of the ball after giving up 5-of-8 three-point shots in the first half. It won’t get any easier for Notre Dame against the undefeated Orange, especially if they can’t find a way to block lanes and contest shots.
College Basketball Betting Preview: Outlook & Pick
Considering that the Fighting Irish are in a funk and the Orange keep blowing away opponents, it looks like Syracuse will be able to cover the pay head bookies’ spread in this contest. Joseph and company are looking more and more confident with every passing game, and after setting a school record with their 20th win, the Orange are focused on extending their run with one win at a time.
College Basketball Betting Pick: Syracuse Orange – 7.5
