After a disastrous four game stretch following a perfect 25-0 start, the Orange is in jeopardy of missing out on a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament. But it is senior night in the Carrier Dome and SU has a relative cupcake going up against a Georgia Tech team that currently sits 13th in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Syracuse expects to romp in this one and is a 15-point favorite to begin generating some momentum before the crucial ACC Tournament.
Free Pick
Take away Tyler Ennis’ miracle three-point heave at Pittsburgh and Syracuse would be a on a nine game streak without covering a spread. And it is just 1-8 ATS in its last nine. There have been more than just one problem for the Orange but one of the biggest is its health. People didn’t worry when DaJuan Coleman went down very early in the year with a knee injury because of the superior depth SU had. Now, Baye Keita is nicked up and Jerami Grant has missed the last two 
second halves of each game. And suddenly, Syracuse is rather thin on their pivotal frontline. Expect Keita to play but the reality is that he hasn’t been the same since tweaking his knee in the Pittsburgh game. And Grant’s status is very much up in the air. Many Syracuse fans are calling for the Orange to rest Grant until the ACC Tournament because of what he does for this team. If Grant isn’t healthy, Syracuse is no longer a National Title contender. It’s very much a question leading up to tip as to whether or not Grant sees the floor tonight.
Meanwhile, Georgia Tech has been pretty miserable all season and it will bring a four game losing streak into the Carrier Dome. Trae Golden has been a lone bright spot this season after transferring from Tennessee and his, and the rest of the guards’, ability to hit the outside shot just every once and a while should keep this thing somewhat reasonable. It’s the first time these two have met this season and, surprisingly, Georgia Tech hasn’t lost by double-digits on the road since way back on January 7 in Cameron.
This is certainly more of a fade than a backing. Syracuse just doesn’t warrant any action – especially on a number so high – until it proves that it’s back. Until then, we’ll keep fading the Orange until the number reflects the shell of itself that it currently is.
Free Pick: Georgia Tech +15
georgia tech yellowjackets • syracuse orange