NCAA Basketball Picks – #4 Syracuse Orange at DePaul Blue Demons
No. 4 Syracuse Orange (20-1 SU, 12-4 ATS) at DePaul Blue Demons (8-12 SU, 8-7-1 ATS)
Saturday, January 30: 2:00 p.m.
Here are some NCAA Basketball Betting Trends which may impact this game:
Syracuse: 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games
Syracuse: Total has gone UNDER in 4 of their last 5 games
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Syracuse: 7-0 ATS on the road
DePaul: 3-1 ATS in their last 4 games
DePaul: Total has gone UNDER in 4 of their last 5 games
College basketball’s hottest team returns to the floor Saturday afternoon when the Syracuse Orange travel to Chicago to take on the DePaul Blue Demons. Despite hitting the road, Syracuse will still be a big favorite in the betting odds this weekend. 
There has been no bigger surprise in college basketball this season than the Orange. After losing their top three scorers from a year ago (all with at least a year of eligibility, mind you), Syracuse was expected to finish in the middle of the Big East. Only no one told Jim Boeheim and his boys.
The Orange have just one loss on the season, an unexpected defeat to Pittsburgh. However, they’ve won seven in a row coming into this one, including three in a row on the road recently. Although they only play seven players, Syracuse might have the best top seven of anyone in the Big East.
Leading the way is potential All-American, and sure fire All-Big East performer Wes Johnson. Johnson, who transferred from Iowa State is this team’s leading scorer with 17 points and nine rebounds a game. What is truly amazing about Johnson is his unselfishness and his efficiency. As hard as it is to believe, this stat is true, Johnson shoots the ball just 11 times a game. When have you ever of a leading scorer taking so few shots?
While Johnson anchors the offense and the 2-3 zone on defense, this team also has an excellent backcourt. Fifth-year senior Andy Rautins doesn’t get a ton of publicity, but does all the little things that this team needs. He hits open three’s, makes extra passes and dives on the floor for loose balls. Brandon Triche is a freshman who starts at point guard.
For DePaul, it has been a painfully awful season, as they’ve won just one Big East game. Former coach Jerry Wainwright was fired a month ago, and second leading scorer Mac Koshwal has missed several games with injury. He returned for the Blue Demons most recent game against West Virginia, scoring just seven points in 25 minutes of action.
No matter what way you look at this one, Syracuse has every advantage. They are one of the most efficient offensive teams in college basketball, leading the nation with a 53 percent field goal percentage. On the flip side, DePaul is abysmal on the defensive end of the floor, as they rank just 158th in the country in defensive field goal percentage.
Whether you’re a Blue Demons fan or not, the writing on the wall is there. This one is going to be ugly.
Take the Orange and don’t look back. There’s no way they lose in this weekend’s college basketball betting odds.
Chris’ Pick: Syracuse by 19
