The Syracuse Orange and North Carolina State Wolfpack are one of the early games in ACC College Basketball action today. The game is scheduled for a 12:00 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on CBS. Currently the College Basketball Betting Odds for the game have NC State favored by a couple of possessions in this one today.
While Syracuse is marred by a scandal surrounding the program and coach Jim Boeheim, the Orange are still a major draw. Today against NC State, there's a pretty good chance Syracuse isn't focused and ready to go. The Wolfpack are also fighting for a potential NCAA Tournament bid, making this final game of the regular season obviously important for them.
NC State has won four of their last five games overall as they have played better down the stretch. Led by Trevor Lacey's 16 points per game NC State has found a way to win 18 games, but a 19th victory would certainly help them moving forward into the ACC Tournament. If this game is played at a slower pace the Wolfpack are doing to have a decent opportunity to win, especially at home.
Opponents are scoring better than 65 points a game against NC State this year. Syracuse comes in scoring 68 points a game and isn't the best team at getting out and scoring points in transition, but defensively they might be better than the Wolfpack. A guy like Rakeem Christmas is going to bring a maximum effort every game, bringing up the rest of the team. This will be his final game for Syracuse as he graduates at the end of the season, so expect a big game from him.
Syracuse has self-imposed itself from playing in the conference tournament as well, so the Orange could come out and play well or already have it packed it. That will be the difference.
Free Pick: NC State 68, Syracuse 60
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