The Syracuse Orange (9-1) challenge the Buffalo Bulls (6-1) at Carrier Dome. The game gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 19, 2017.
Syracuse opened as a 10.5-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 148 points.
Buffalo Bulls vs. Syracuse Orange ATS Prediction
In the Bulls’ last game, they beat the Robert Morris Colonials, 86-70. Buffalo’s 0.603 effective field goal percentage was their largest advantage over Robert Morris, who had a rate of 0.419. The Bulls’ mark was above their season average of 0.527, while the Colonials’ was below their season average of 0.485. Buffalo received a boost from CJ Massinburg, who was the game’s leading scorer with 23 points on 6-for-8 shooting.
The Orange beat the Georgetown Hoyas in their last outing, 86-79. The Orange held the Hoyas to an offensive rebounding percentage of 26.5 (below their season average of 36.1) and had a better turnover percentage (16.4 vs. 18.6). With 25 points and 14 rebounds, Syracuse’s Oshae Brissett had a solid game.
Syracuse should have the edge on the defensive side of the ball. The Orange rank 71st in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.496), while Buffalo is 182nd in effective field goal percentage (0.517) dating back to the 2016-17 season.
Buffalo comes into the contest with records of 6-1 straight up (SU) and 4-4 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has been spot on when predicting totals of Bulls games, with an even split between overs and unders.
Meanwhile, Syracuse owns records of 9-1 SU and 4-4 ATS. Of the Orange’s 8 games with betting action, 5 have finished under the O/U total.
Brissett has averaged 16.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks over the last five games for Syracuse.
Buffalo Bulls vs. Syracuse Orange Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Syracuse, ATS Winner – Buffalo, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
Buffalo ranks 83rd in three pointers allowed per game (20.5) while Syracuse ranks 229th (25.3).
The Orange rank 12th in rebounds per game (36.5) while the Bulls rank 155th in rebounds allowed per game (36.0).
Syracuse ranks 19th in steals per game (8.3) while Buffalo ranks 134th (5.9).
The Bulls rank 87th in assists per game (14.8) while the Orange rank 199th in assists allowed per game (17.0).
Syracuse averages 5.0 blocks per game, which ranks 14th in the NCAA. Buffalo ranks 107th in blocks allowed per game (3.6).
