Beat writers forecast Syracuse to bounce back against Boston College
Syracuse, led by Rakeem Christmas, will look to rebound from its first ACC loss when it faces Boston College on Tuesday night in the Carrier Dome. Chase Gaewski | Staff Photographer
Phil D’Abbraccio (15-3): Syracuse 58, Boston College 52
Balled eagles
As evidenced by the Orange’s flop at Clemson, it won’t be a smooth ride without Chris McCullough. And Boston College is no pushover, as its record hides a challenging schedule to this point. But in a return to the Carrier Dome, Syracuse turns to its bread and butter — by the name of Rakeem Christmas — to carry the Orange to another conference win. SU’s defense clamps down well on the Eagles’ offense and Christmas, with a bit of help from his teammates, handles the rest.
Jesse Dougherty (15-3): Syracuse 66, Boston College 54
Back in flight
Does Dennis Clifford possess the defensive toughness to slow down Christmas? I think not, and that’s what this one comes down to. Clifford has the height but not the strength to keep Christmas off the block, but the Orange big man continues to dominate and drives a slumping Syracuse team to a much-needed home conference win. Also look for Trevor Cooney to get back into a rhythm since no Boston College guard can defend him like Clemson’s Rod Hall.
Jacob Klinger (15-3): Syracuse 60, Boston College 52
First to 50
Don’t expect grace or great shooting. Do expect Syracuse to limit Boston College from the perimeter. The Eagles aren’t a particularly good shooting team and opponents don’t tend to get better at shooting when they walk into the Dome. More specifically, much of BC’s offense runs through ball screens for Olivier Hanlan, but if the Orange’s guards can close off the top of the zone and not get sucked in from the corners it’s hard to see the Eagles getting much going on offense. That just leaves SU to grind it out on the other end of the court, where if nothing else, Christmas remains physically dominant.
