Beat writers predict Syracuse to take down former Big East rival Georgetown
Syracuse's Trevor Cooney squares up against against Georgetown guard D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera in a game in 2013. The two players will meet again when the former Big East rivals play on Saturday. Daily Orange File Photo
No. 14 Syracuse (6-1) faces former Big East rival Georgetown (3-3) on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. The Orange is coming off a 66-58 overtime loss to Wisconsin on Wednesday night, its first of the season. Mike Hopkins will coach his first game as SU’s head coach following the NCAA’s ruling on Jim Boeheim’s appeal of a nine-conference-game suspension.
Here’s how our beat writers predict the rekindled rivalry will unfold:
Sam Blum (5-2)
Syracuse 65, Georgetown 58
Hop scotch
Two major storylines will converge at the Verizon Center on Saturday in one of the biggest nonconference games in Syracuse history. And Hopkins will help the Orange skip its way to a big win. SU proved it can compete even when it’s at its worse like it was on Wednesday, but expect the Orange to get up for its old Big East rival.
Jesse Dougherty (5-2)
Syracuse 74, Georgetown 69
Start of something new
In the first game of Jim Boeheim’s nine-game suspension, and the first of Hopkins’ head coaching career, Syracuse rallies to beat its old Big East rivals. Hopkins, known as a relentless motivator, has the players ready to compete in a game that is decided in the closing minutes. As Georgetown clamps down on Michael Gbinije and Trevor Cooney, Malachi Richardson steps up on the biggest stage of his young career and ultimately steals the show.
Matt Schneidman (5-2)
Syracuse 67, Georgetown 62
Hey, old friend
The Orange knows what a dominant frontcourt looks like after getting bullied by Wisconsin on the glass. Georgetown has another, but big-man specialist Hopkins won’t let SU get dominated as it did against the Badgers. Dajuan Coleman rebounds from a no-point, five-minute performance and is the X-factor against the Hoyas.
