The Syracuse Orange will play their first game as the nation’s No. 1 team when they take on the North Carolina State Wolfpack from the RBC Center in Raleigh.
ESPN2 will have the Saturday night affair at 6:30 p.m. (ET) with the pointspread and total still pending.
Syracuse (10-0 straight up, 6-3 against the spread) jumped from No. 3 in both polls after the carnage last Saturday that saw Kentucky lose (73-72) at Indiana as 5½-point favorites and Ohio State go down (78-67) at Kansas as 1½-point ‘dogs. The Buckeyes at least had an excuse with big man Jared Sullinger a late scratch with a back injury.
Coach Jim Boeheim has done a good job keeping Syracuse focused in wake of the Bernie Fine scandal. However, this will be the first true road game with the only trip coming in-state at Madison Square Garden. Those were wins over Stanford (69-63) and Virginia Tech (69-58) and going 1-1 ATS.
The Big East Orange rank top-5 nationally in scoring margin (22.8 PPG) behind a solid offense (80.1 PPG) and defense (57.3 PPG). An easy schedule has played a part with just one top-25 foe (Florida), but they are deep with a 10-man rotation and their zone defense can give teams fits.
North Carolina State (6-3 SU, 3-4 ATS) is looking for the same home atmosphere that helped Indiana beat Kentucky. This game is expected to be a sellout and the team is 5-1 SU at the RBC Center, albeit just 1-3 ATS.
The Wolfpack are third in the ACC in scoring (76.1 PPG), but last in defense (71.4 PPG). Five guys score in double-digits. Their best chance to win is on the boards, ranking 45th nationally in rebounding margin (6.1 per game), while Syracuse is 93rd (3.7 per game). The Cuse allowed 34 total offensive boards to George Washington and Marshall the last two games.
These teams met last December at the Carrier Dome with Syracuse pulling out a close 65-59 win, failing to cover as 12-point favorites. NC State won the rebounding battle 34-29.
Florida vs. Texas A&M in lone top-25 matchup
Saturday’s only top-25 matchup is No. 13 Florida facing No. 22 Texas A&M as part of the Orange Bowl Classic doubleheader. This will be held in Sunrise, Florida and is a neutral site contest, plus a future SEC preview with A&M switching conferences next year.
Florida (7-2 SU, 2-3 ATS) is fourth in the nation in scoring (86.8 PPG). It’s a very outside based attack with guards Kenny Boynton (18.7 PPG), Bradley Beal (15.1 PPG) and Erving Walker (13.9 PPG) the three leading scorers. The ‘over’ is 4-1 for the Gators this year and 23-7 in their last 30 overall.
Texas A&M (8-1 SU, 1-3 ATS) is fourth nationally in scoring defense (51.4 PPG) under first year coach Billy Kennedy. Forward Khris Middleton (knee) returned last game after missing seven contests and his offense is badly needed with the team averaging just 64.4 PPG. The ‘under’ is 3-1 for the Aggies this year and 8-2-1 in their last 11 neutral site games.
Louisville and Memphis renew rivalry
The battle between the No. 4 Louisville Cardinals and Memphis Tigers may not be as exciting as when Rick Pitino and John Calipari were having their heated coaching feud, but it’s still an intriguing Saturday matchup.
Memphis (5-3 SU, 3-4 ATS) is one the country’s most disappointing teams after being No. 9 in the preseason Coaches Poll. Josh Pastner is in his third year after replacing Calipari and hopes his team hit a low point last Saturday, a 76-72 loss as 10½-point home favorites to mid-major Murray State.
Memphis can score at 81.1 PPG, but its defense isn’t consistent (72.1 PPG). The ‘over’ is 5-1-1- this year and 7-1-1 in its last nine overall.
Louisville (9-0 SU, 4-2 ATS) has once again overcome a rash of injuries under the resilient Pitino. The defense is surrendering just 52.7 PPG, helping the ‘under’ go 5-1. These teams haven’t met since 2005 when they were both part of Conference USA. Memphis is 7-1 ATS (4-4 SU) in the last eight meetings.
Sunday hoops spotlight
Sunday features just three top-25 teams, all playing at home. No. 8 Missouri takes on William & Mary, No. 9 Xavier goes against Oral Roberts and No. 10 Connecticut faces fellow New England school in Holy Cross.
Atlantic 10 Xavier (8-0 SU, 4-2 ATS) is playing its first game since the Dec. 10 brawl against Cincinnati. Four of its players are suspended including top scorers Tu Holloway (17.6 PPG) and Mark Lyons (17.4 PPG).
Big 12 Missouri (10-0 SU, 4-1 ATS) is No. 1 in the nation in scoring margin (25.6 PPG) and has covered its last four vs. the number. Big East Connecticut’s (8-1 SU, 3-3 ATS) offense continues to struggle at 74.6 PPG, ranked 81st, with the ‘under’ 5-1 on the season.
A non-top-25 matchup to watch is Pac-12 Oregon (6-2 SU, 2-6 ATS) hosting ACC Virginia (8-1 SU, 5-1 ATS). The Cavaliers should become ranked with a win and give up less points (47.9 PPG) than any team expect for Wisconsin. Coach Tony Bennett is a defensive disciple of his dad Dick Bennett, the former coach of the Badgers.