Two struggling ACC squads will face off at the JMA Wireless Dome when the Syracuse Orange host the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday afternoon.
The Irish won the first game between these schools this season, and I’m taking them to sweep the season series in my Notre Dame vs. Syracuse predictions below.
Read on to see why I like the Irish in this afternoon’s game in my college basketball picks for Saturday, January 18.
Notre Dame vs Syracuse prediction
My best bet
Notre Dame -3 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
Neither Syracuse nor Notre Dame have enjoyed much success this season, with both traditionally strong basketball schools going 8-9 so far on the year. But of the two, the Irish have clearly been the superior team, especially as of late.
Notre Dame doesn’t look like an offensive powerhouse at first glance, as it averages just 75.2 ppg. However, that modest number is due in large part to a tepid pace of play that has the Irish looking to make more out of every possession rather than run and gun.
They’ve been particularly good from deep, shooting a very respectable 36.8% from 3-point range, with all of their key players — particularly Markus Burton (19.0 ppg), Braeden Shrewsberry (14.9 ppg) and Matt Allocco (10.1 ppg) — capable of shooting from beyond the arc.
That’s going to be a significant defensive problem for Syracuse. The Orange allow opponents to shoot 33.7% from deep, which ranks 225th in the nation.
That’s just one of the many poor defensive stats we can pull for Syracuse, ranging from the overall 45.4% shooting it allows to the 78.1 ppg opponents' score against the Orange.
That showed in the first game between these team teams, as the Irish hit eight threes and shot 44.9% on their way to a 69-64 win. Burton missed out on that game — as did Syracuse’s top scorer, J.J. Starling (18.2 ppg) — and on balance, the Irish should find even more offensive success in a second matchup with the Orange.
Then there’s how these teams have been playing as of late. Yes, the Irish recently went through a four-game losing streak before bouncing back with a 78-60 win over the Boston College Eagles on Monday. But when it comes to betting on Notre Dame, it has been holding up its end of the bargain, covering in five of its last six games overall — including in three of those four defeats.
On the other hand, Syracuse has managed to win three of its last six games. However, the Orange are coming off an 85-61 blowout loss to the Louisville Cardinals, and they’ve gone 2-6 ATS in their last eight games.
In the first game, the Irish were only able to score a five-point victory, just enough for these teams to push on the spread. I expect Notre Dame’s offense to be too much for the Orange in the rematch, and I’m taking the Irish to cover.
Notre Dame vs Syracuse same-game parlay (SGP)
Notre Dame -2.5
Under 147.5
While these teams both play poor defense, the total here is a bit too high for my liking. Notre Dame has hit the Under in three of its last four games, while Syracuse has done so in two of its last three.
The first game between these two teams also came in at just 133 total points, giving me confidence they’ll play Under the total again.
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Notre Dame vs Syracuse odds
Notre Dame vs Syracuse live odds
Notre Dame vs Syracuse opening odds
- Spread: Notre Dame -3 | Syracuse +3
- Moneyline: Notre Dame -160 | Syracuse +135
- Over/Under: Over 147 | Under 147
Odds courtesy of bet365
Notre Dame vs Syracuse betting trend to know
Notre Dame is 5-1 ATS in its last six games overall. Find more college basketball betting trends for Notre Dame vs. Syracuse.
How to watch Notre Dame vs Syracuse
| Location: | JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse, NY |
| Date: | Saturday, 1-18-2025 |
| Tip-off: | 4:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ACCN |
Notre Dame vs Syracuse key injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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