Beat writers predict Syracuse to beat N.C. State, advance to ACC semifinals
Stephen Bailey: Syracuse 68, North Carolina State 60
One man Wolfpack
T.J. Warren gives the Orange fits, but it won’t be enough as the SU defense holds together otherwise. C.J. Fair puts together another strong performance in another big game, and maybe Trevor Cooney even hits a few 3-pointers. Those will be the two biggest keys for Syracuse in every game here on out.
Trevor Hass: Syracuse 65, North Carolina State 59
Marching on
Syracuse moves onto the semifinals with a hard-fought win over N.C. State. Warren and Ralston Turner can score in bunches, but the Wolfpack doesn’t have the depth or balance to hang with the Orange. Expect Tyler Ennis to exploit 5-foot-11 guard Tyler Lewis, and for Fair and Jerami Grant to feast inside on Jordan Vandenberg and Co.
David Wilson: Syracuse 71, North Carolina State 58
Welcome to the ACC (tournament)
Warren will probably score a whole bunch of points for the No. 7-seed Wolfpack, but the No. 2-seed Orange looked good during a 74-58 win against Florida State with Grant back in the lineup. The extra offensive weapons should let Ennis do what he does best and facilitate a victory for No. 11 SU.
