- SMU (22-9) dominates ACC rebounding with 34.7 per game
- Syracuse (14-18) forces turnovers but allows 79.8 ppg in recent losses
- March 5 thriller saw SMU edge Syracuse 77-75
- Betting line favors Mustangs by 8.5 points
The ACC Tournament heats up Wednesday as the SMU Mustangs and Syracuse Orange face off in Charlotte. With SMU’s conference dominance and Syracuse’s season-long inconsistency, this matchup promises high drama. The Mustangs enter as favorites, but Syracuse’s 6-1 record when winning the turnover battle suggests hidden volatility.
SMU’s rebounding prowess (1st in ACC, 34.7/game) clashes with Syracuse’s perimeter defense allowing 7.9 three-pointers nightly. Tournament veteran Matt Cross (7.8 rebounds/game) anchors SMU’s physical frontcourt, while Syracuse’s JJ Starling (17.9 ppg) looks to exploit SMU’s 8.2 three-point defensive average. Recent trends favor SMU’s backcourt duo Kevin Miller (13.4 ppg) and Chuck Harris, averaging 14.4 points over their last 10 contests.
Neutral-site tournaments often reward experienced rosters – SMU’s 13-7 ACC record contrasts sharply with Syracuse’s 8-13 conference struggles. Regional history adds intrigue: Charlotte’s Spectrum Arena hosted Syracuse’s 2016 Final Four run, while SMU seeks its first ACC Tournament win since joining the conference. Defensive adjustments will prove critical – SMU allows just 72.9 ppg in recent outings compared to Syracuse’s 79.8 defensive average.
Three unique factors could decide this matchup: 1) Rebounding margins in tournament games correlate with 68% win rates historically 2) Teams shooting above 47% FG in ACC play (both squads clear this mark) typically advance 3) Charlotte’s NBA-sized court favors SMU’s transition game. Bettors should note that 8 of Syracuse’s last 10 games exceeded the 152 over/under.