Duke basketball is hitting the road for another big ACC matchup, and this time, it’s a showdown between Duke vs Syracuse at the JMA Wireless Dome. The second-ranked Blue Devils (19-2, 11-0 ACC) are riding a 15-game winning streak—the longest active streak in the nation.
On Wednesday night (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2), they’ll look to continue their dominance against the Orange (9-12, 3-7 ACC). Historically, Duke vs Syracuse has been a one-sided battle, with Duke winning 16 of their 22 meetings, including nine in a row and 11 of the last 12. Last season, the Blue Devils secured a 20-point victory over the Orange at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Can Duke extend its streak, or will Syracuse pull off an upset at home? Here’s everything you need to know, including a Duke vs Syracuse score prediction.
Duke vs Syracuse: Blue Devils’ Strength in Ball Movement
One of the biggest reasons for Duke’s success this season has been their ability to move the ball. The Blue Devils rank 24th nationally in assist percentage, assisting on 60.9% of their made field goals, according to KenPom.com.
Freshman sensation Cooper Flagg has been a key facilitator, leading the team with 89 assists so far. But Duke’s passing attack is well-balanced, with six other players recording at least 17 assists through 21 games.
Duke’s ball movement was on full display in their recent win over UNC, where they totaled 20 assists on 28 field goals. A similar offensive rhythm could give Syracuse trouble, as teams like Georgetown, Maryland, Clemson, and Louisville all recorded at least 17 assists in victories against the Orange this season.
Maliq Brown Returns to Face Syracuse
Another storyline for this Duke vs Syracuse matchup is the return of Maliq Brown to his former team. Brown, who played his first two college seasons at Syracuse, recently returned from a knee sprain and made an immediate impact in Duke’s dominant win over UNC.
The 6-foot-9 forward had a career-high 26 points against Duke last season while playing for Syracuse. While he may not put up those numbers again, he’ll certainly be a factor in this rematch. His versatility on both ends of the floor gives Duke an edge, especially in transition and defensive matchups.
Expect Brown to play a key role in Duke vs Syracuse, adding extra motivation against his former teammates.
Slowing Down Syracuse’s Senior Duo: JJ Starling & Lucas Taylor
For Syracuse to have any shot in this Duke vs Syracuse battle, they’ll need big performances from senior guards JJ Starling and Lucas Taylor.
Starling, one of the ACC’s top guards, missed seven games earlier this season but has been on a tear since returning. He’s averaging 17.9 points per game through 15 contests, including multiple 20-point performances.
Lucas Taylor, a Raleigh native and former Wake Forest player, has also been a key contributor. He dropped 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds in a recent win over Cal, helping the Orange snap a three-game losing streak.
Duke’s defense will need to contain this experienced backcourt duo to maintain control of the game.
Duke vs Syracuse: Can the Orange Pull Off an Upset?
The JMA Wireless Dome will be packed with Syracuse fans hoping to see an upset, but the odds are heavily in Duke’s favor. The Blue Devils have been dominant on the road this season, posting a perfect 6-0 record in away games.
Meanwhile, Syracuse has struggled in ACC play, dropping seven of its first ten conference games. The Orange have also had difficulty stopping high-powered offenses, which is a problem against a Duke team that thrives on ball movement and efficient scoring.
If Duke controls the tempo and shares the ball as effectively as they have all season, Syracuse will have a tough time keeping up.
Duke vs Syracuse Score Prediction
Duke 80, Syracuse 65 – The crowd will be loud, but that won’t be enough to stop the Blue Devils. Maliq Brown should have a strong homecoming, and Duke will extend its winning streak to 16 before a tough road game at Clemson.
