The Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-4, 0-1 ACC) and their sensational offense host the 25th-ranked Syracuse Orange (9-4) and their stifling defense. The game can be seen on ACC Network at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 5, 2019.
Syracuse Orange at Notre Dame Fighting Irish Betting Odds
Both teams were triumphant in their last game. The Fighting Irish beat the UIC Flames 84-67, while the Orange had no trouble getting past the Eastern Washington Eagles 66-34.
Syracuse dominated every facet of the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.242 and a turnover percentage of 11.9. Eastern Washington was 0.034 and 23.3, respectively, for those same stats. The Fighting Irish, on the other hand, had a much better free throw rate (0.581 vs. 0.203) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (42.9 vs. 25.0). Nate Laszewski had a good outing for Notre Dame, finishing with 12 points and nine rebounds. Oshae Brissett, meanwhile played a pivotal role for Syracuse with 20 points and eight rebounds.
The Fighting Irish won the lone contest between these two teams last season, 51-49. Notre Dame’s free throw rate was their biggest advantage over Syracuse. The Fighting Irish had a rate of 0.214, while the Orange posted a mark of 0.109. This is the first time these teams will clash this year.
This matchup pits one of the NCAA’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses as Notre Dame currently ranks 54th in offensive efficiency and Syracuse is 38th in defensive efficiency. Additionally, the Orange are among the country’s elite at getting to the line, ranking 15th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.315). The Fighting Irish, meanwhile, rank eighth at keeping opponents off the charity stripe with an opponents’ FTA rate of 0.146.
Syracuse at Notre Dame Betting Pick
College Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Syracuse, ATS Winner – Syracuse, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Notre Dame averages 26.4 three pointers per game, which ranks 47th in the nation. Syracuse ranks 234th in three pointers allowed per game (26.7).
- The Fighting Irish average 14.4 assists per game, which ranks 98th in the nation. The Orange rank 160th in assists allowed per game (13.9).
- Both of these teams are great at blocking the ball. Notre Dame is ninth in the NCAA with 5.9 blocks per game while Syracuse is 45th with 4.5 blocks per game.
- The Orange rank 18th in steals per game (8.8) while the Fighting Irish rank 140th (5.8).
- Notre Dame averages 39.2 rebounds per game, which ranks 49th in the nation. Syracuse ranks 155th in rebounds allowed per game (36.0).
Bettings Trends:
- The Orange’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.0, down from 10.2 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Fighting Irish have scored an average of 74.6 points per game (2.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 62.4 points per game (5.7 below their season average).
