Syracuse Orange vs Ualbany Great Danes Picks and Predictions December 10th 2024

Syracuse and Albany Both Hope to Get Back on Track

Struggling Syracuse looks to climb back above .500 as it hosts Albany on Tuesday night in a game where both teams aim to reverse recent struggles. This matchup pits two programs eager to get their seasons back on the right track.

Syracuse’s Offensive and Defensive Woes

The Orange (4-4) are coming off a disappointing conference loss to Notre Dame where they went 0-for-9 from beyond the arc, marking the first time in over a decade Syracuse failed to make a 3-pointer. Adding to their challenges, the team will be without leading scorer J.J. Starling, who broke his hand during practice last week. Starling, averaging 19.8 points per game, is a critical loss for the Orange.

Head coach Adrian Autry acknowledged the team’s struggles after the Notre Dame loss:
“Too many blown opportunities. We’re not shooting the ball well. We have to adjust and go game by game now.”

Freshman Donnie Freeman has been a bright spot for Syracuse, averaging 12.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Freeman, who recently earned co-ACC Rookie of the Week honors, already has four double-doubles this season. With Starling sidelined, Syracuse will rely heavily on Freeman’s offensive production and consistency.

Defensively, Syracuse ranks near the bottom nationally, allowing 79.4 points per game (No. 329). This porous defense could be a concern against an Albany team that averages 77.2 points per game.

Albany’s Recent Struggles and Defensive Strengths

The Great Danes (6-4) started the season strong with a 5-1 record but have lost three of their last four games, including an 80-74 overtime defeat to Boston University on Saturday. Despite the recent skid, Albany remains a dangerous opponent, especially on the defensive end.

Senior guard Byron Joshua, a transfer from Alcorn State, leads the Great Danes with 13.6 points per game. Amar’e Marshall, an All-America East Conference pick last season, has seen his scoring efficiency dip from 43.4 percent shooting last year to 34.5 percent this season. Despite the decline, Marshall remains a key contributor, averaging 11.7 points per game.

Albany has been exceptional in generating steals, averaging 10.2 per game—tied for 12th nationally. However, their success often hinges on their shooting consistency. Head coach Dwyane Killings highlighted this after a loss to Georgetown:
“Our identity and energy come when the ball goes in the basket. When it doesn’t, we lack the grit we need.”

Check out the latest John Wooden Award Odds & Predictions for detailed analysis and updates.

Historical Context and Keys to Victory

Syracuse holds an 8-0 all-time record against Albany, with the last meeting occurring in 2011. This season, the Orange are undefeated at home (4-0) and against non-power-conference teams (4-0). Meanwhile, Albany has proven resilient defensively but has struggled with consistency in its recent games.

For Syracuse, the key will be improving their shooting and minimizing turnovers in Starling’s absence. On the other hand, Albany must capitalize on Syracuse’s defensive lapses and maintain its tenacity on defense through steals.

This game presents a pivotal opportunity for both teams to recalibrate before heading deeper into their respective schedules.