Conference realignment in college basketball put a damper on the rivalry between St. John’s and Syracuse, two of the founding members of the Big East Conference. The two teams haven’t met head-to-head since 2022 and are facing off at Madison Square Garden for the first time since 2015.
The Orange enter Sunday’s tilt looking to snap a four-game losing streak to the Red Storm and make a statement early in the season against the No. 13 team in the nation.
Oddsmakers are giving ‘Cuse very little chance of pulling an upset. The Johnnies are 11.5-point favorites ahead of tip-off.
Syracuse vs. St. John’s prediction
It’s tough to generate buzz around the first handful of games in a college basketball season. Unless it’s a showcase game on national television, chances are the top teams are rolling over lesser competition to get acclimated to the season.
This shouldn’t be one of those games.
The spread may be double digits, but I imagine the rivalry that used to exist between these teams will be channeled through their fanbases and that should have the Garden buzzing.
Both teams stand to benefit in that case because it will bring out their most competitive selves.
With that in mind, I’m paying close attention to Kiyan Anthony in this game.
The sophomore guard and son of New York basketball legend Carmelo Anthony is all too familiar with MSG as a spectator. Now he has a chance at making a moment as a player.
Anthony leads Syracuse in scoring this season off the bench, averaging 15.7 points and making the most of his minutes through three games. The key is it’s just three games.
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The Johnnies are a major step up compared to New Haven, Central Connecticut, and Indiana. They’ve been a top-tier defensive team nearly every season under head coach Rick Pitino and rank 15th in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency, according to Bart Torvik. (Again, it’s been three games.)
Anthony’s points prop in this game is listed at 13.5 points, a number he’s topped in all three games so far. The bet here is whether this is the moment he has his worst game, but the eye test says what we’re seeing from the young guard is real.
I’ll take the Over on his points for Sunday’s clash and expect him to prove he’s made a leap.
The Pick: Kiyan Anthony Over 13.5 points (-114, FanDuel)
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Malik Smith has been immersed in the sports betting industry since 2017. He’s a data nerd with a particular focus on the NBA and combat sports. He spends his weeknights in the winter looking for edges on plus-money NBA player props.
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