As Syracuse welcomes SMU to the JMA Wireless Dome, the Orange find themselves in a precarious position - sitting on the NCAA Tournament bubble with a 13-11 record. A win against the 16-7 Mustangs would not only bolster their resume but also provide a much-needed Quad 1 victory, considering SMU's current NET ranking of 34. Syracuse's recent form has been inconsistent, with a loss-loss-win stretch in their last three games, and they'll need to reverse that trend to stay in the tournament conversation.
SMU Boasts a Perfect Quad 4 Record
The CHD Scout prediction favors SMU by 6.9 points, giving Syracuse just a 27.5% chance of emerging victorious. This isn't entirely surprising, given the Mustangs' solid tournament standing and their impressive Quad 1 record of 3-6. SMU's ability to compete against top-tier opponents will undoubtedly pose a challenge for the Orange, who have struggled in such matchups, boasting a 1-7 Quad 1 record.
CHD Scout Prediction
SMU
81
Syracuse
74
With no notable player momentum to speak of, this game will likely come down to which team can execute their game plan more effectively. Syracuse must capitalize on their home-court advantage and find a way to contain SMU's offense, which has been clicking on all cylinders. Given the CHD Scout prediction and SMU's overall strength, it's likely that the Mustangs will come out on top, winning by around 7 points and dealing a significant blow to Syracuse's tournament hopes.