The 10-seed Syracuse Orange (16-9) meet the 6-seed San Diego State Aztecs (23-4) Friday in the first round of the Midwest Regional at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Tip-off is set for 9:40 p.m. ET and is airing on CBS. Below, we analyze the Syracuse-San Diego State odds and lines, with March Madness NCAA Tournament picks and predictions.
The Aztecs tore up the Mountain West Conference this season, winning both the regular-season and conference tourney championships.
San Diego State is riding a 14-game winning streak with an average score of 78.8-60.4 and covered in nine of those victories.
Syracuse was eliminated from the ACC Tournament 72-69 loss to West Regional 4-seed Virginia by a buzzer-beater as 4.5-point underdogs, but they covered for a fourth straight game.
This is Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim’s 35th NCAA Tournament appearance and third straight while San Diego State is making its second appearance in head coach Brian Dutcher’s fourth year on the job.
San Diego State vs. Syracuse: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 7:45 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Syracuse +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | San Diego State -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Syracuse +3 (-110) | San Diego State -3 (-110)
- Over/Under: 138.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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San Diego State vs. Syracuse: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Syracuse 74, San Diego State 69
Money line (ML)
As I said in this week’s Bet Slippin’ Podcast, San Diego State (-160) is ranked 337th in defensive 3-point attempt rate.
And if the Aztecs let Syracuse guard Buddy Boeheim and Co. chuck 3-pointers, the Orange are going to roll them.
Boeheim is one of the hottest shooters entering the tournament and has connected on 46.1% of threes in the past 11 games. His father, Jim, whose Hall of Fame resume speaks for itself, come tourney time: ‘Cuse is always a threat to make a run.
I lean SYRACUSE (+135) for a quarter-unit only because the Orange plus the points is a wiser play.
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Against the spread (ATS)
Definitely BET SYRACUSE +3 (-110) heavier than or instead of the money line.
The Orange have covered four straight NCAA Tournament games as an underdog. Also, the Aztecs are starting to show some cracks in their armor as they are just 1-4 ATS in their last five games.
Over/Under (O/U)
This game is ripe to go OVER 138.5 (-110). Both teams play up-tempo and shoot threes at an above-average rate.
As a product of Jim Boeheim’s 2-3 zone defense, Syracuse is ranked 327th in defensive 3-point attempt rate, which is trouble against a San Diego State team ranked 25th in 3-point shooting.
Finally, the market has steamed this total up from a 137.5-point opener and I’d rather follow the market than fade it. BET OVER 138.5 (-110) for 1 unit.
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