NCAAB: HOYAS FAVORED OVER ‘CUSE
Legendary Big East teams, Syracuse and Georgetown, continue their rivalry tonight from the nation’s capital.
Georgetown is a 6 ½-point home favorite. ESPN2 will have the telecast at 7:30 pm ET.
The Orangemen have (16-1, 7-6 ATS) had the upper-hand, winning eight of the last 10 (7-3 ATS) including twice in Big East Tournament play.
Syracuse is led by point guard Jonny Flynn, who is averaging a team-high 16.4 points and 5.5 assists this season. He has numerous options to pass to which can lead to immediate points from Paul Harris and Eric Devendorf.
If the Orange need inside scoring, junior Arinze Onuaku can accommodate, being second in the nation in field goal percentage at 70.7. Syracuse is 4-1 straight-up and ATS in their last five road adventures.
Georgetown (11-3, 5-5 ATS) has had the far tougher conference slate, facing ranked teams Connecticut, Notre Dame and current No.1 Pittsburgh.
The Hoyas have a real keeper in freshman center Greg Monroe, though his time is presumed to be very limited on campus with the NBA calling.
He has a high basketball I.Q., especially from the five-position, being able to breakdown defenses with either passing or shooting the rock. If he and leading scorer DaJuan Summers are on top of their games, this is a dynamic duo.
Sports bettors have often been cleaned out by both of these schools, with Georgetown 2-9 ATS in home games against conference opponents over the last two seasons and Syracuse 14-26 ATS off three straight wins versus Big East rivals.
Because Syracuse plays their 2-3 zone primarily, they defend well in holding opposing teams to 38.8% shooting, yet don’t force many miscues.
Georgetown is 28-13 ATS versus defensive teams forcing 14 or fewer turnovers a game. Jim Boeheim’s club will be looking to counter having won seven in a row after romping past Rutgers 82-66 and are 22-11 ATS in road games after a win by 15 points or more.
Note the underdog has been having more bite, they are on 4-0 ATS roll.
