On Saturday, the Georgetown Hoyas take on the Syracuse Orange in Syracuse, New York. Tip-off is set for 2:30 p.m. ET on ACC Network.
Georgetown is favored by 1 point on the spread with a 152-point over/under.
Here are my Georgetown vs. Syracuse predictions and college basketball picks for December 14, 2024.
Georgetown vs Syracuse Prediction
My Pick: Georgetown ML (+100 or Better)
My Georgetown vs Syracuse best bet is on the Hoyas to win outright, with the best odds currently available at ESPNBet. For all of your college basketball bets, find the best lines using our live NCAAB odds page.
Georgetown vs Syracuse Odds, Lines, Pick
| Georgetown Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1 -110 | 152 -110o / -110u | -120 |
| Syracuse Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1 -110 | 152 -110o / -110u | +100 |
- Georgetown vs Syracuse spread: Georgetown -1
- Georgetown vs Syracuse over/under: 152 points
- Georgetown vs Syracuse moneyline: Syracuse -120, Georgetown +100
- Georgetown vs Syracuse best bet: Georgetown ML (+100 or Better)
My Georgetown vs Syracuse College Basketball Betting Preview
Georgetown Basketball
Georgetown comes into this matchup with something to prove.
The Hoyas' record indicates vast improvement under Ed Cooley, but a peak under the hood will show all seven wins were buy games. Conversely, the two losses were the only two high-major opponents on the schedule to date (West Virginia, Notre Dame).
Although Syracuse has obvious flaws, I want to see Georgetown beat a high-major team.
Cooley's Hoyas are starting to build a real identity, especially on defense, where they defend with pressure (23% turnover rate forced) while limiting 2-point field goals (43% 2-point shooting allowed).
Of course, they still can't score, ranking 122nd nationally in offensive efficiency.
More specifically, Georgetown can't shoot. The Hoyas are shooting under 30% from deep and have only two above-average marksmen (Malik Mack and Micah Peavy).
Incumbent guard Jayden Epps has posted more efficient scoring numbers than last season, but he's still only shooting 41% from the field and 33% from 3. He's the lone guard on Georgetown's roster who can piece together a big game, and he needs to find his footing in this matchup.
On the bright side, Thomas Sorber is the best early Christmas Gift Georgetown fans could've asked for.
Sorber is a future first-round pick leading Georgetown in scoring, rebounds, and blocks. He's one of the best defensive bigs in the Big East and should overwhelm the Orange's flimsy interior defense.
Syracuse Basketball
Things haven't gone to plan for Adrian "Red" Autry.
The on-court results have been poor, and injuries have made things even more difficult.
The missing piece is superstar guard JJ Starling, who likely isn't close to returning. Syracuse doesn't have an adequate replacement for his scoring prowess. Freshman Elijah Moore has flashed — particularly as a shooter — but he's no Starling.
Meanwhile, Syracuse can't stop a nosebleed, ranking 163rd nationally in defensive efficiency.
The Orange can't defend the interior (56% 2-point shooting allowed) nor force turnovers (ranking 347th nationally in defensive turnover rate).
Unless opponents run poorly from 3, the Orange can't get stops.
Syracuse tries to dominate the paint on offense to offset Starling's missing perimeter scoring, and that's worked at times.
Freshman Donnie Freeman has morphed into a key cog for the Orange, averaging 14 points and eight rebounds per game. However, Eddie Lampkin and Jyare Davis are the two most valuable pieces on the roster.
But none of them can shoot. As a result, the Orange shoot 29% from 3 on low volume, which won't get the job done — especially as opposing defenses sag off shooters or start playing zone.
Georgetown vs. Syracuse Betting Analysis
Georgetown is the play here, even on the road.
I'm buying stock in the Hoyas improving, and this is a great matchup.
The Hoyas are due for some positive shooting regression on defense — opponents are shooting over 35% from 3 against them despite their otherwise intimidating defense.
That regression should hit here against a Syracuse squad that can't shoot, and the Orange won't score on the interior against Georgetown's size and athleticism.
I'm backing the Hoyas to snag an upset road win.
