The Syracuse Orange were in a rough place when they played the Boston College Eagles earlier this season. The team was riding a four-game losing streak and brought a paltry 10-7 record into the game. They crushed the Eagles in the Dome and kick-started a 7-1 run that they're on right now, including a four-game winning streak. Can they keep it going with their first road game since January 24.
The Eagles, meanwhile, are in the midst of an eleven-game losing streak. That doesn't mean you should assume this one's a cakewalk. They caused enough trouble against North Carolina that the Tar Heels needed a last minute comeback to get out of Conte Forum with a win. Plus, it's Syracuse vs.BC. Something weird usually happens at least once a season.
So will the Orange win? We polled the TNIAAM illuminati to find out what they think.
Ari Gilberg
Syracuse 71 - Boston College 49
While this does have the makings of a trap game – let's not forget, Boston College has stunned Syracuse before – with the Orange so close to the bubble, they don't have the luxury to overlook any opponent, even the lowly Eagles who are riding an 11-game losing streak. Syracuse defeated Boston College 62-40 in head coach Jim Boeheim's first game back from his suspension, and have only gotten better since. Syracuse's offense seems to have finally come together, scoring more than 80 points in two of four of their last games, the Orange have finally been able to close out games rather than crumble under pressure, and they're getting more production from promising freshmen Malachi Richardson and Tylor Lydon. Expect a blowout.
James Szuba
Syracuse 72 - Boston College 58
Syracuse will have no trouble beating BC again even on the road. Gbinije and Malachi keep things rolling and Syracuse cruises to an easy victory behind a stellar defensive performance.
Kenny Lacy
Syracuse 76 - Boston College 53
Right now Syracuse is rolling picking up seven wins in their last eight contests meanwhile Boston College hasn't picked up a win in conference play. With the way that this college basketball season has been there's no such thing as a sure thing, but this may be as close to one as the Orange will see. Over this hot stretch Syracuse has played great defense and on the other hand BC has struggled on both ends of the court; not exactly a good matchup for the Eagles. I expect the Orange to be in complete control of this one and leave Chestnut Hill with another victory.
Kevin Wall
Syracuse 75 - Boston College 60
This has all the makings of a trap game, but there is an important factor which I believe favors Syracuse, and that's the crowd. The combination of the lousy weather in Boston, and the lousier record from BC and this is going to be an Orange crowd.Boeheim knows that the Orange can't afford to let momentum slip away with a loss, and I think the players will feed off of the energy and enjoy a reasonably comfortable win.
Sean Keeley
Syracuse 70 - Boston College 63
Oh, I'm not falling for this trap. It's easy to look at things on paper, see that SU blew them out the first time and that they're on a massing losing streak and assume the Orange breeze. But I know better. It's a conference road game against a team with nothing to lose. I don't like those one bit. All it takes is one SU shooter going cold and we've got ourselves a game. That said, I do think the Orange pull away in the end and get their win.
Leave your pre-, in- and postgame comments below. G'ORANGE!