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Notre Dame vs. Syracuse Free Pick – Odds & NCAA Basketball Predictions

Notre Dame vs Syracuse CBB Hoops Handicapping

Unbeaten No. 2 Syracuse puts its record on the line on Monday, when it hosts Notre Dame at the Carrier Dome. [ad-4468020]

Date/Time: 7 p.m. EST, Monday, Feb. 3, 2014
Venue:Carrier Dome, Syracuse, New York
Broadcast: ESPN
Spread: -14 Syracuse
Over/Under: OFF
Odds From [dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

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At first look the Irish (12-10) don’t seem to pose much of a threat to the Orange and are winless (0-5) on the road in 2013-14.

They are 4-6 in their last 10 contests, which did include a pair of overtime wins, the last being a 76-73 triumph over Boston College on Saturday.

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Eric Atkins scored a game-high 24 points, including the winning 3-pointer with one second left in overtime to beat the Eagles.

The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Irish who shot just over 37 percent and had no scoring from its bench, which did finish with 15 points in the second half and overtime.

The game was just another example of the type of season Notre Dame is having. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have the goods to win games.

One bright spot is the Irish defense, which has been pretty good. They held BC ‘s Olivier Hanlan, the third-leading scorer in the ACC, to a season-low five points on 2-of-5 shooting from the floor over the weekend.

However, that defense will be tested to its limit against Syracuse (21-0), which is 13-0 at home this season, and is shooting 46.1 percent (4th) against all opponents this season.

But the Orange did however narrowly escape a loss last time out, edging out visiting No. 16 Duke, 91-89 in overtime.

C.J. Fair scored a career-high 28 points and Jerami Grant recorded eight of his career-high 24 points in overtime as the Orange dazzled the largest on-campus crowd in college basketball history.
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The Carrier Dome was rocking as Syracuse freshmen, Tyler Ennis was matched up against Duke’s Jabari Parker for the first time this season. Parker finished the game scoring 15 points and grabbing nine while Ennis scored14 points, including the decisive free throws late in overtime.

Ennis also dished out nine assists in the win that halted the Blue Devils streak at five.

Defensively, Syracuse held the Blue Devils to 43 percent shooting including 15-of-36 from 3-point range.

They also dominated Duke on the boards, outrebounding them 37-29 while forcing eight turnovers and blocking nine shots. Six of which were by center Rakeem Christmas, who also chipped in seven points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

Since 1980, the two teams have met 35 times, with the Orange holding a 23-12 advantage. However, it’s a split decision over the last two seasons, with the Orange beating the Irish at home last year, following a 67-58 road loss in 2012.

Free Pick: Irish

— The Orange just look better all the way around here, except for shooting percentage, which is where the Irish hold a slight advantage.

Nevertheless, another strong defensive performance by Syracuse should be enough to notch a win, but a little closer than the odds makers have predicted.

Take the Irish and the points here.

By Matt Martz

Matt has returned to CappersPicks.com. The pull was too great. He missed providing his free picks and insider sports gambling analysis to his loyal readers. Please take it easy on him till he gets back into his groove. Cheers!