The Syracuse Orange take on the Texas Longhorns in Brooklyn, NY, as part of the Legends Classic. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Texas is favored by 11 points on the spread with a moneyline of -600. The total is set at 156 points.
Here’s my Syracuse vs Texas predictions and college basketball picks for November 21, 2024.
Syracuse vs Texas Prediction
My Pick: Texas -10.5
My Syracuse vs Texas best bet is on the Longhorns spread, with the best odds currently available at BetMGM. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Syracuse vs Texas Odds, Spread, Pick
| Syracuse Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+11 -110 | 156 -110 / -110 | +450 |
| Texas Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-11 -110 | 156 -110 / -110 | -600 |
- Syracuse vs Texas spread: Texas -11
- Syracuse vs Texas over/under: 156 points
- Syracuse vs Texas moneyline: Texas -600, Syracuse +450
- Syracuse vs Texas best bet: Texas -10.5
My Syracuse vs Texas College Basketball Betting Preview
Two teams with a lot to prove will meet in Brooklyn, as both Syracuse and Texas strive for their first resume-boosting win of the season.
Texas has pounded three straight teams in the KenPom 350s or higher, winning all three games by 30 or more points. But the one quality opponent they played this season was the Ohio State Buckeyes, and the Horns trailed throughout before losing by eight points.
The "quality" of Syracuse as an opponent may be up for debate still. The Orange are 3-0, but those victories have come against Le Moyne, Colgate and Youngstown State by a combined six points.
The star for Texas has been freshman Tre Johnson, who leads the Longhorns in Offensive Rating and seems destined for NBA superstardom. Johnson is a matchup nightmare, and it will be interesting to see how much attention Syracuse pays to him.
The Orange have their own star freshman, though, as Donnie Freeman is coming off of his best performance of his young career, finishing with 19 points, 12 rebounds and three assists.
Texas has the advantage in a few key statistical areas, as the Longhorns have been phenomenal at avoiding turnovers. They value possessions, ranking fifth currently in turnover percentage on offense.
Syracuse never forces turnovers, ranking 320th nationally. Texas will likely have more opportunities to score than Syracuse in this game by default.
And the Longhorns will likely capitalize on those extra possessions. They are balanced, scoring from outside (55th nationally in 3-point percentage) and inside (31st nationally in 2-point percentage).
Syracuse is particularly vulnerable inside the arc, allowing opponents to make 56% of their shots inside the 3-point line.
Given Texas' loss to its one quality opponent, it should show up mentally engaged from the jump to avoid another let down in a big game.
Syracuse has yet to play a top 175 opponent (per KenPom), and this may be a wake-up call for a team that has struggled to put away the cupcakes on its schedule.
