Syracuse Orange Men's Basketball: Predictions and Poll vs. Le Moyne

Are you ready, Syracuse Orange fans? It's time to preview the 2024-25 college basketball season as tonight the Orange welcome the Le Moyne Dolphins to the JMA Dome. What happens at the start of the season? Here's what we think…

Kevin: Syracuse 82, Le Moyne 78

So far I think the Orange can score, but I don't know if they can defend. Both teams will attempt a lot of threes in this game and I think the Dolphins will stay uncomfortably close all night long. In the end, Syracuse has enough talent to pull off a win, and fans will surely respond appropriately.

Cathedral: Syracuse 89, Le Moyne 77

Syracuse's defensive issues could be frustrating early in the year, but the offense should remain fairly consistent and keep the team on top for at least most of the contest. Even with two appearances, a first game usually means there will be some mistakes and a fair amount of rust early on, but the Orange should have no trouble taking care of business.

Sam: Syracuse 85, Le Moyne 65

I'm not sure if AJ Dancler or Darrick Jones Jr., who could be the Dolphins' two best players this year, will play on Monday night, but I don't think Le Moyne is a significant threat with or without them at SU . The Orange should test their perimeter defense against the Dolphins' ball movement and shooting, but the talent gap will be too great.

Szuba: Syracuse 88, Le Moyne 74

Syracuse will be able to score in this matchup, and the Orange will have an advantage inside if Autry wants to deviate from the five-out offense he intends to run. There are even more questions on the other side of the ball and whether Syracuse will be able to hold its own defensively once the actual games begin. Still, the season opener should be an entertaining matchup for each team with local talent on both sides (there's plenty more for the Dolphins). Behind JJ Starling, Chris Bell and Eddie Lampkin, Syracuse's offense should be able to do more than enough to get on the right side of this series against Le Moyne as a Division 1 opponent.

Microphone: Syracuse 82, Le Moyne 67

I agree with Sam on this. While it will be interesting to host a cross-city DI match, the fact is that Le Moyne still has a ways to go to grow its program. I think it ends up a little under the -22.5 range, but that's more because the Orange are rotating a lot of pieces to experiment rather than the Phins being much of a threat. Should still be a fun way to start the campaign.

Maximum: Syracuse 90, Le Moyne 72

As others have mentioned, the Orange should score at will, but their defensive pressure remains to be seen. The Dolphins clearly lack the size advantage, so expect them to rely on outside shooting to stay in the game. Le Moyne will continue to be close at halftime, but a push from the Syracuse starting lineup early in the second half helps the home team pull away on opening night.

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Now it's your turn. What will happen in today's game?