Notre Dame Basketball: Staff Picks - Syracuse

Pat Rick, Editor (4-1) (0-0)

Previous Pick: Notre Dame 84 - Florida State 81

Notre Dame 81 - Syracuse 71

“The Irish will play a crisp, efficient game in their return from a tough 3-game road trip, and although Syracuse's length will allow them to hang with ND, ultimately Vasturia, Farrell, Bonzie, and co. will out-shoot the Orange and ice it down the stretch with a beautiful symphony of made free throws. Also, Martinas Geben will get a dunk in this one, I just know it.”

BONUS PICKS

No.12 Louisville @ No.10 Florida State - Florida State
Michigan State @ Indiana - Michigan State
No.14 Arizona @ No.3 UCLA - UCLA
Alabama @ Auburn - Auburn

Jeff Czerniakowski, Staff Writer (5-0) (0-0)

Previous Pick: Florida State 81 - Notre Dame 70

Notre Dame 83 - Syracuse 72

“Big time bounce back game for Notre Dame. This is an important one to get back on track. The three ball is going to get hot for the Irish against the 2-3 zone for Syracuse. It should be a field day for Vasturia, Beachem, and Farrell.”

BONUS PICKS

No.12 Louisville @ No.10 Florida State - Florida State
Michigan State @ Indiana - Indiana
No.14 Arizona @ No.3 UCLA - UCLA
Alabama @ Auburn - Alabama

Ryan Chichester, Staff Writer (5-0) (0-0)

Previous Pick: Florida State 86 - Notre Dame 79

Notre Dame 84 - Syracuse 75

“The Irish will get back in the win column in the comfort of their home floor. The crowd will be more of a factor with most of the student body returning to campus from winter break, and I expect the Irish shooters to catch fire from the perimeter against the Orange defense, much like they did in the first half against Virginia Tech.”

BONUS PICKS

No.12 Louisville @ No.10 Florida State - Florida State
Michigan State @ Indiana - Indiana
No.14 Arizona @ No.3 UCLA - UCLA
Alabama @ Auburn - Alabama

Brad Wechter, Editor (4-1) (0-0)

Previous Picks: Florida State 87 - Notre Dame 75

Notre Dame 70 - Syracuse 63

“Notre Dame's shooting will fall below the mean as a way of the universe righting itself after the anomaly that took place in Tallahassee. Even so, There won't be any refs baiting Notre Dame players into punishment calls in this one, and Notre Dame prevails at home.”

BONUS PICKS

No.12 Louisville @ No.10 Florida State - Florida State
Michigan State @ Indiana - Michigan State
No.14 Arizona @ No.3 UCLA - UCLA
Alabama @ Auburn - Alabama

Bobby Norell, Editor (3-2) (0-0)

Previous Picks: Florida State 78 - Notre Dame 75

Notre Dame 78 - Syracuse 69

“I’m going with the Irish. Syracuse can keep it close for a half, but I don’t think they have the firepower to keep up with the Irish for a full game. Aside from Farrell, look for Vasturia to have a big game. He can hurt Syracuse in a similar way as Farrell with his driving and shooting ability.

Look for Bonzie Colson to play the middle of Syracuse’s zone. It’s perhaps the most important position when attacking a zone defense. If Notre Dame can get the ball to the middle of the zone it will open shots up for others elsewhere.

Syracuse doesn’t defend the three well and if you want a chance of beating Notre Dame that is one thing you must do. The Irish will be jacked up to play in front of their home crowd for the first time in two weeks. I like Notre Dame to get their sixth ACC win and keep pace atop the conference.”

BONUS PICKS

No.12 Louisville @ No.10 Florida State - Louisville
Michigan State @ Indiana - Indiana
No.14 Arizona @ No.3 UCLA - UCLA
Alabama @ Auburn - Auburn

Joshua Vowles, Site Manager (4-1) (0-0)

Previous Picks: Notre Dame 67 - Florida State 63

Notre Dame 79 - Syracuse 77

“This has all the makings of a last second Matt Ryan winner. Why? BECAUSE I DREAMT IT.”

BONUS PICKS

No.12 Louisville @ No.10 Florida State - Florida State
Michigan State @ Indiana - Indiana
No.14 Arizona @ No.3 UCLA - UCLA
Alabama @ Auburn - Auburn