Syracuse is coming off back-to-back wins over Wake Forest (81-76) and Florida State (82-72), but both of those victories were at home. Syracuse remains winless on the college basketball road this season, losing and failing to cover the point spread in all seven contests.
In fact, the last two trips away from home were gruesome for the Orange – losing to both North Carolina and Notre Dame by a combined 35 points! Syracuse is averaging just 64.0 points per game away from home on 38.0% shooting from the field and 31.2% from beyond the arc.
The Orange also struggle to play defense in hostile gymnasiums as evidenced by the fact that they are allowing 77.3 points per game on the road (as compared to 68.4 points per game overall in 2016-2017). Opponents are making 48.0% of their field goal attempts and 40.8% of their three-pointers at home against Syracuse.
Meanwhile, the Wolfpack are 11-2 SU at home this season where they are averaging 86.2 points per game on 49.0% shooting from the field. Overall, North Carolina State is 9.0 points per game better than average offensively (80.7 points per game against teams that would combine to allow 71.7 points per game), which is good enough to exploit suspect Syracuse defense that plays significantly worse on the road.
North Carolina State’s issue has been at the defensive end of the floor where its yielding 77.7 points per game (2.1 points per game worse than average). The good news, however, is the fact that the Orange cannot find the rim away from the Carrier Dome (64.0 ppg; 38.0% FG% on road). Let’s also note that Syracuse is 2-7 ATS in its last nine games following a win and 2-5 ATS in its last seven meetings with the Wolfpack.
This game sets up perfectly for North Carolina State from a technical standpoint. The Wolfpack are a profitable 18-7-1 ATS in their last 26 home games versus teams with a .399 or worse road record and 24-10-2 ATS in their last 36 games following a loss. Look for Syracuse to fall to 0-8 SU and ATS on the road this season – take the Wolfpack as Oskeim Sports’ free College Basketball Sports Pick for Wednesday, February 1, 2017.
Oskeim Sports’ Free College Basketball Sports Pick: North Carolina State (pk) (-110)