Louisville Cardinals vs Syracuse Orange: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

What: (18) Louisville Cardinals vs Syracuse Orange

Where: Carrier Dome in Syracuse, NY

When: Wednesday, February 20th at 7:00 PM EST

How (TV): ESPN

Louisville Cardinals (Away)

Head Coach: Chris Mack {Overall: 18-8 .692 W-L% | Conference: 9-4, 4th in ACC}

After an unlucky draw to begin their season, the Louisville Cardinals have climbed to a respectable fourth in the ACC. While they had to overcome early losses to Tennessee, Marquette, and Indiana, a return to ACC competition benefitted the Cardinals.

Since returning to ACC-competition the Cardinals are 11-3. While they were able to split the season series against No. 9 ranked North Carolina, they pulled off close and impressive wins against Clemson, and Virginia Tech to prove their ability.

Louisville takes on one of the most vaunted defences in the NCAA when they take on Jim Boeheim and the Syracuse Orange. In a two-point loss to Duke, the Cardinals were efficient from two, but struggled to convert from three in order to punish the Blue Devils. If they can’t penetrate the Syracuse defence, they will have to do something more than fire from three if they can’t convert.

Syracuse Orange (Home)

Head Coach: Jim Boeheim {Overall: 17-8 .680 W-L% | Conference: 8-4, 6th in ACC}

Whether playing pick-up basketball or playing in the NCAA, Jim Boeheim’s zone defence is something impressive to watch. It has both frustrated the best and given opportunity to the less capable. Regardless of result, the Orange go into every game with their defensive gameplan in the open.

The Orange have performed will against ACC competition, highlighted by an overtime win against the nation-leading Duke Blue Devils. While they’ve stumbled along the way against teams like Virginia Tech and Florida State, the Orange play very efficiently on both ends.

The Orange are sixth in the country in three-point percentage and are also in the top 15 of every major statistical category in the country. Jim Boeheim has a disciplined squad that has merely struggled to compete with the biggest colleges with the best recruits. Regardless of their talent, Syracuse should be able to put on a competitive match against the Cardinals.

Louisville Cardinals Roster Notes

The Louisville Cardinals have no roster changes of note.

Syracuse Orange Roster Notes

The Syracuse Orange have no roster changes of note.

Head-to-Head: Jordan Nwora (LVL) vs Tyus Battle (SYR)

Jordan Nwora

Forward | 6-7, 225lb (201cm, 102kg) | Canisius High School | Buffalo, NY | Sophomore

17.5 PPG | 1.5 APG | 7.7 RPG | 1.1 SPG | 0.4 BPG | 2.4 TOV | .460 FG% | .381 3P%

Tyus Battle

Guard | 6-6, 205lb (198cm, 92kg) | Gill St. Bernard’s School | Edison, NJ | Junior

17.4 PPG | 2.4 APG | 3.2 RPG | 1.2 SPG | 0.3 BPG | 1.8 TOV | .455 FG% | .296 3P%

It’s a battle between two capable wing scorers when Jordan Nwora of Louisville comes up against Syracuse’s Tyus Battle. Both players play a huge part in their respective teams success and have put together interesting seasons to delve into.

Nwora has grown into a very impressive player. After an up and down freshman year, Nwora has come on to the scene as one of Louisville’s leaders. He has been dominant inside this season but has also shown the ability to punish defenders from range. He has struggled against teams that pack the paint on him, so it will be interesting to see how he copes with Syracuse’s legendary zone defence.

Tyus Battle has shown a small dip in efficiency in his junior season. While he is still scoring a considerable amount, teams have begun to zone in on his ability on the wing resulting in difficulty shooting the ball. Coming off of a 3-9 shooting night in a loss to NC State, Battle is sure to want to rebound against a Louisville team that is quite capable defensively.

Louisville Cardinals at Syracuse Orange Predictions and Odds

The odds makers have the Syracuse Orange favoured over the Louisville Cardinals by 2, with an over/under of 110.