Beat writers predict Syracuse to outlast Clemson, stay undefeated in ACC
Syracuse is coming off a strong offensive outing against Wake Forest on Tuesday. It'll look to do more of the same and get to 5-0 in conference play on Saturday. Chase Gaewski | Staff Photographer
Phil D’Abbraccio (15-2): Syracuse 64, Clemson 54
Earning stripes
Clemson’s a frontcourt-heavy team that will push Syracuse’s response to the absence of Chris McCullough. But the Tigers shoot just 29 percent from 3-point range and won’t have a balanced enough attack to give the Orange its first Atlantic Coast Conference loss of the year. Even if Rakeem Christmas’ foul-trouble issues reappear, the Tigers’ guards won’t keep up with Trevor Cooney and Michael Gbinije, who are rounding into solid sidekicks to the SU big man. Syracuse picks up another conference win and starts earning its stripes a little bit more.
Jesse Dougherty (15-2): Syracuse 68, Clemson 61
Cold cats
Syracuse’s depth is rearing and every game is going to feel harder than the last. But the Orange is still in the easy phase of its ACC schedule as it takes on Clemson at Littlejohn Coliseum on Saturday. The Tigers have the worst turnover margin in the ACC and flat out can’t shoot the basketball. That’s a good combination for an SU team that thrives off turnovers and does a good job against teams that struggle from beyond the arc. Christmas will be Christmas. You know exactly what I mean.
Jacob Klinger (15-2): Syracuse 62, Clemson 57
Orange Valley
The fact that both Christmas and Cooney are firing on all cylinders for Syracuse spells trouble for the hosts. In reality, SU only needs one to shine as long as the rest of the team chips in the defense and rebounding that Jim Boeheim requires. Tyler Roberson and Gbinije don’t have to be studs, just clean up the glass and make the easy shots. The Tigers rely on a frontcourt that, while good, isn’t anything Christmas hasn’t gotten through already this season.
