The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (9-6, 1-1 ACC) head to No. 25 Syracuse to take on the Orange (11-4, 2-0 ACC) in what should be a low-scoring game. The game will air on ESPN2 at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 12, 2019.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. Syracuse Orange Free Prediction
In the Yellow Jackets’ last matchup, they were topped by the No. 9 Virginia Tech Hokies, 52-49. Virginia Tech won the rebounding battle. The Hokies had 13 offensive rebounds and 35 total rebounds, while the Yellow Jackets had three and 32, respectively. Jose Alvarado was the top scorer from either team with 20 points on 6-for-11 shooting.
The Orange were victorious over the Clemson Tigers in their last game, 61-53. The Orange had a great free throw rate of 0.313 (above their season average of 0.293) and held the Tigers to an effective field goal percentage of 0.406 (below their season average of 0.542). With 10 points, Syracuse’s Marek Dolezaj put together a good outing.
After the Yellow Jackets won the only contest against the Orange last season, 55-51, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. The Yellow Jackets had a much better turnover percentage (11.6 vs. 20.3) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.373 vs. 0.350).
Points could be at a premium in this battle between two of the country’s best defenses. Syracuse ranks 25th in defensive efficiency (91.5) and Georgia Tech is 13th (89.2). Ball protection could be troublesome for the Yellow Jackets. They rank 284th at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 20.9 percent), while the Orange force the 23rd-most turnovers in the NCAA (opponents’ turnover percentage of 24.0 percent).
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. Syracuse Orange Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Syracuse, ATS Winner – Georgia Tech, O/U – Under
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Betting Notes:
Georgia Tech ranks 43rd in three pointers allowed per game (19.9) while Syracuse ranks 239th (26.7).
The Orange average 8.2 steals per game, which ranks 33rd in the nation. The Yellow Jackets rank 129th in steals allowed per game (7.0).
Georgia Tech ranks 71st in assists per game (15.0) while Syracuse ranks 158th in assists allowed per game (14.1).
The Yellow Jackets rank 16th in blocks per game (5.3) while the Orange rank 56th in blocks allowed per game (2.9).
Bettings Trends:
The Yellow Jackets’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.0, up from 8.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Orange have scored an average of 71.0 points per game (0.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 57.0 points per game (3.9 below their season average).
^^^^^
