Prizing:

1st Place: $50 Amazon gift card

2nd-5th Place: $10 Starbucks gift card

Overview:

On Wednesday, March 8th, the (20-10) Miami Hurricanes will take on the (18-13) Syracuse Orange.

The Crowd:

“The Crowd” projects a final score of Syracuse 76.0 – Miami 70.8 with an over/under of 146.8.

Statistics (2016-17 season):

Point differential: Miami +6.4 PPG > Syracuse +5.6

Points per game: Syracuse 76.4 PPG > Miami 70.2 PPG

Points allowed per game: Miami 63.8 > Syracuse 70.8 PPG

Field Goal Percentage Offense: Syracuse 45.7% = Miami 45.7%

Field Goal Percentage Defense: Miami 41.0% > Syracuse 42.7%

Three Point Percentage: Syracuse 38.5% > Miami 36.2%

Turnovers per game: Syracuse 12.2 > Miami 12.8

Rebounds per game: Miami 36.4 > Syracuse 35.0

Assists per game: Syracuse 15.7 > Miami 12.0

Summary:

Both teams are (10-8) in conference play and (6-4) in their last ten games.  Miami has struggled to score the ball all season and have averaged just 64.9 points per game in their last ten.  Syracuse, by comparison, have averaged 77.8 points per game in that span.  Syracuse won the prior match-up against Miami 70-55 at home earlier this season.  Miami struggled against the Syracuse zone scoring only 55 points (their second lowest output of the season).  Meanwhile, Syracuse shot an absurd 57 percent with 16 assists on 25 baskets.  Miami is one of the better defensive teams in college basketball but their scoring problems will make it tough to keep up with Syracuse.  Syracuse should be the more desperate team as they are truly on the tournament bubble and I expect them to win this one.

**LISTEN HERE** to the latest edition of “The Berger Shop” podcast, sponsored by The Crowd’s Line.  This week’s episode features an in-depth discussion talking Showtime Sports Doc on St. Anthony’s Bob Hurley with Brian Dailey.

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