Syracuse men’s basketball: predictions vs Tennessee

The Syracuse Orange (4-3) once again draw the Tennessee Volunteers (7-1) in the SEC/ACC Challenge. Can Syracuse get an upset win without Donnie Freeman? Wes Durham and Dennis Scott have the call on ESPN2 at 7:00 and here’s what we’re predicting:

Kevin: Tennessee 79, Syracuse 70

Without Donnie Freeman, I don’t see how Syracuse can keep the Volunteers from dominating the paint and getting a lot of second chance points. I think Felix Okpara and Jaylen Carey are going to cause a big problem on the glass. The home crowd should help the Orange stay in this game, but can Syracuse knock down 10+ threes and give themselves a shot? I think that’s what it’ll take to get an upset win, but I am not expecting the Orange to be able to match the Vols shot for shot.

Sam: Tennessee 74, Syracuse 64

Tennessee is inevitable. I wasn’t sure how good this version of the Vols would be, but here we are, with another team that is able to control the game in different areas, especially on the glass. Bishop Boswell and Ja’Kobi Gillespie are a tough defensive nut for the struggling Orange guards to crack, while Syracuse will be asking a ton of William Kyle to keep it afloat on the glass.

Dom: Tennessee 80, Syracuse 66

Horrendous timing from this matchup with Freeman out and Tennessee coming off the loss to Kansas in its Vegas finale. Syracuse will put up a fight for a half, but Tennessee is going to just take full control of the paint and on the glass. The Orange’s guards need to provide more pop on offense, especially against this Vols defense, and while I have faith they can, it won’t be enough. Tennessee takes over in the second half and keeps Syracuse winless against Q1 teams.

Max: Tennessee 76, Syracuse 65

Freeman is clearly a huge loss, and it’s hard to see the Orange close out any game with their free-throw woes. The Volunteers shoot the ball at a better clip, are beasts on the boards and defend at an extremely high level. This feels like another game where Syracuse needs to get hot from deep to have a fighting chance. I don’t think it happens. Give me the visitors by double digits.

Szuba: Tennessee 77, Syracuse 67

Hard to envision Syracuse winning this one against a tough defensive and rebounding team. The Orange might have an answer for Gillespie or Ament, but I don’t think it will have answers for both. Sadiq White will be key in this game and he needs to stay out of foul trouble. But even with JP Estrella nursing a sore ankle, the Vols frontcourt is daunting. Carey goes 6-foot-8, 267 lbs and Cade Phillips is another big body. Fun matchup between Okpara and Will Kyle but ultimately Tennessee gets the better of the Orange on both ends and leaves CNY with a win.

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What’s your prediction for this one?