Villanova @ Syracuse on Saturday, February 27th

By #1 Sports

The Wildcats (23-4, 12-3 Big East) righted the ship Wednesday with a 74-49 home trouncing of South Florida, unleashing 23 forced turnovers to exorcise last week’s losses versus Connecticut and at Pittsburgh that cost Jay Wright’ crew the conference lead. Tons of pace at 83.8 points per game on .466 shooting from the field, sprung by active defensive hands willing to jump lanes for 8.1 steals per game are the keys for the Cats but size is a serious issue. Villanova starts 4 guards led by 6′2″ senior G Scottie Reynolds (19.0p, 2.7r, 3.3a, 1.6s) with 6′8″ 235 junior F Antonio Pena (11.0p, 7.5r) the lone big man starting in the paint.

Reynolds runs a superb offense that commits just 13.7 turnovers despite the frenetic pace but leading a team at just 6′2″ is a lot to ask in the Big East and Syracuse held him to a pair of 10 point contests last season.

The Orangemen (26-2, 13-2) topped Providence 99-85 last trip out with 28 each by 6′9″ 240 junior F Rick Jackson (10.0p, 7.0r, 1.6a) and 6′5″ senior G Andy Rautins (11.8p, 3.2r, 4.6a) to remain perfect at 11-0 on the road this season. Size is certainly not an issue for Jim Boeheim with Jackson, 6′7″ 198 junior F Wes Johnson (15.8p, 8.7r, 2.4a), and 6′9″ 275 senior C Arinze Onuaku (10.0p, 4.9r) the base of the formidable ‘Cuse 2-3 defense while combining for 5.0 of the squad’s 6.8 blocks per game. Throw in 10.2 steals per game and this defense is a fair match for the Orange offense that piles up 81.3 points per game on .522 shooting from the field versus 65.3 points allowed on .389 shooting for opponents. Backup F Mookie Jones (6.1p and 25 of 54 from deep) may miss again with a broken finger on his shooting hand.

FREE SELECTION: If Coach Boeheim can get his boys to play a focussed 40 minutes each time out, he’ll earn a National Championship April 5th. Slowing the Orange down as Louisville did in a 66-60 victory at the Carrier Dome on Valentine’s day but the Wildcats just don’t have the personnel for that approach. With 34,616 in the house and rooting you on to victory, take Syracuse – 5 1/2 and be sure to pick up your Free Daily Selections at Freeplays.com

- Pro Basketball Specialists #1 Sports!