Free College Basketball Pick

St. Johns Red Storm (15-13, 5-11 Big East) at Syracuse Orange (27-2, 14-2 Big East) Carrier Dome, Syracuse, NY, 7 PM, 3/2

As if the drama and emotion of playing in front of 34,616 people against a top ten team en route to becoming the number one team in the country wasn’t enough, Syracuse will play its final game of the season in the Carrier Dome.

There is not much doubt with who will emerge victorious, given the Orange’s superior talent and record, but the pressure is on. For the first time since the beginning of the 1989-90 season, Syracuse holds the top ranking in the country during the regular season. They achieved the top ranking just after the national championship as well in 2003. This is their first defense of that ranking. Andy Rautins and Arinze Onuaku bask in the glory of senior day, as they take the court in Syracuse for the final time.

Syracuse, coming off of a blowout win over #9 Villanova over the weekend in front of a record crowd, looks to clinch the Big East regular season championship and the number one seed in the Big East tournament. Part of what has made Syracuse so dangerous this season has been its balance, and ability for anyone on the team to take over at any given time. Five players average double figures, and six scored at least ten against Villanova. Leading scorer Wesley Johnson (15.7 ppg) continues to look to find his touch after several injuries last month. This game against St. Johns should allow him to tune up for the stretch run. Seniors Andy Rautins (11.8 ppg) and Arinze Onuaku (10.3 ppg) look to make their mark in their final home game.

St. Johns has struggled to keep up in the ultra-talented Big East. The highlight of their in-conference schedule thus far this year has been their win over Louisville, a team that beat the Orange in the Carrier Dome on Valentine’s Day. They are led by junior D.J. Kennedy, who averages 14.6 points, 2.9 assists and 6.2 rebounds per game. After two straight losses, the Red Storm look to rebound, but Syracuse on Senior Day is going to be a tough task.

The Orange’s only real concern will be not having a major letdown after such a high in their previous game. This game, and the Big East regular season title, and the top seed in the Big East championship, is all Syracuse has to lose.

Pick: Syracuse -14