Syracuse (16-6, 7-2 Atlantic Coast) defeated Pittsburgh for the second time this season and returns from a three-game road trip on Tuesday night. In come the Florida State Seminoles (16-5, 4-4), once a top-15 team, to the Carrier Dome. Tip is slated for 8 p.m.

Here’s what our beat writers expect to happen on Tuesday night.

Billy Heyen (18-4)
Hot spell
Syracuse 69, Florida State 65

Syracuse always seems to play the Seminoles tough: An upset and court storm two years ago, and Tyus Battle’s 37 points in a loss last season. Each game FSU has lost this season has featured 32 percent or lower 3-point shooting, and the Orange hold opponents to 30.9 percent from beyond the arc. That should combine to keep the Seminoles at a low enough point total that Battle, Oshae Brissett and co. can keep SU’s winning streak alive.

Charlie DiSturco (17-5)
Dome court advantage
Syracuse 67, Florida State 62

Syracuse’s offense is becoming more fluid with each game, and that’ll continue on Tuesday night. Florida State struggles shooting the 3 ball — only 33 percent — and that’ll show against the Orange’s 2-3 zone. Battle and Elijah Hughes will bounce back with a strong performance and hand the Seminoles their fourth conference road loss in five games.

Matthew Gutierrez (15-7)
Tall order
Syracuse 66, Florida State 64

The Seminoles can play, recently putting up 59 points against Georgia Tech’s zone and holding the Yellow Jackets to 49. Given that outcome, I anticipate a close, low-scoring game at the Carrier Dome this week. The Orange look to start February on a strong note and win their 10th game out of their last 12, and they’ll get a much better Tyus Battle in a win over FSU Tuesday night.

Published on February 4, 2019 at 8:34 pm