Syracuse students agree: A six seed would be nice.It all comes down to this for the final chance to control Syracuse’s destiny in New York City. #25 Syracuse is traveling to #15 Marquette to see if Syracuse can lock in the six seed for the BET, and that would also assure that Marquette would not receive a double bye. This win would also give Syracuse one final nail in the NCAA bid coffin. Marquette is a dangerous team however, despite the indefinite loss of guard Dominic James. The Golden Eagles’ leading scorer is Jerel McNeal who is averaging 19.9ppg, 4.7rpg, and 4.0apg. He is a very dangerous guard. Wesley Matthews is also a dangerous guard averaging 18.7ppg and 5.2rpg. Additionally, their best forward, Lazar Hayward is averaging 16.1ppg and 8.6rpg. Syracuse will have to have a virtually flawless game, unlike the first half of the Rutgers contest, to hang with this team if they are on. However, opposite of Syracuse, Marquette had dropped three in a row to pretty good teams. It will be interesting to see how Marquette responds to a pretty good Orange team. The Syracuse shooters will have to be on early, and Marquette likes to get good ball movement and spot up for both threes and difficult jumpers inside the arc. Good defense and zone coverage is imperative, and some good play inside from Harris, Jackson, and Onuaku, especially rebounds, is imperative as well. I do like Syracuse’s chances in this one however, but it will be close. Syracuse over Marquette by eight.
Labels: Basketball, Big East, Preview
well done on the prediction!