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Orange’s Unbeaten Streak at Home Tested by Hoyas’ Lockdown Defense

The highly anticipated matchup between the Syracuse Orange and Georgetown Hoyas will take place on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at the JMA Wireless Dome. Both teams bring compelling narratives and contrasting strengths to the court, promising an intense clash for college basketball fans. Let’s break down the key stats and trends to guide your betting decisions.

Syracuse Orange Overview

The Syracuse Orange, standing at 5-4, have dominated at home this season, boasting a perfect 5-0 record. Their recent offensive outburst in a 102-85 victory over Albany showcases their scoring capability. Currently ranked 92nd nationally in points per game (80.2), Syracuse thrives on efficient field goal shooting (47.3%, 96th in the nation) but struggles from beyond the arc (27.3%, 350th).

Defensively, however, Syracuse faces significant challenges, allowing 80 points per game—a statistic that places them among the bottom teams nationally (341st in defense).

Key Players

• JJ Starling: Leading scorer with 19.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. Starling’s aggressive play style drives Syracuse’s offense.
• Donnie Freeman: Averaging 14 points and dominating the boards with 8.7 rebounds per game.

Georgetown Hoyas Overview

The Georgetown Hoyas enter with a 7-2 record, rebounding from a recent 72-60 loss to West Virginia. Despite a respectable offense, averaging 76.7 points per game (177th), their strength lies in defense, allowing just 64.2 points per game—ranking an impressive 31st in the nation. Their superior free-throw percentage (76.1%, 57th) gives them a tactical edge in close contests.

Key Players

• Thomas Sorber: Leads with 15.4 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, showing reliability in scoring and defe by nse.
• Jayden Epps: A consistent contributor with 14.2 points per game.

Head-to-Head & Betting Trends

Historically, Syracuse has dominated this rivalry, winning three of their last four meetings. Last season, they secured an 80-68 road victory against Georgetown, showcasing their offensive depth. Georgetown, however, has been resilient against the spread, going 4-2 ATS in their last six matchups.

Key betting trends to note:

• Over/Under: Syracuse’s games frequently lean toward high-scoring affairs, going 5-4 in over/under this season.
• Spread Performance: Both teams are evenly matched against the spread, with Syracuse at 4-4-1 and Georgetown at 4-5 ATS.

Conclusion

Syracuse’s offensive firepower, led by JJ Starling, combined with their home-court advantage, makes them the favorites in this showdown. Georgetown’s defensive prowess might slow Syracuse’s pace, but their struggles in away games (0-1 road record) raise concerns.

Prediction: Syracuse Orange to cover the -2 spread at home.
Best Bet: Focus on the under, given Georgetown’s defensive strength and Syracuse’s occasional inconsistency beyond the arc.