Manhattan Jaspers at No. 5 Syracuse Orange
Monday, 11/14/11, 7:00 PM EST, TV: ESPNU
Opening Point Spread: Syracuse -26
Current Betting Line: Syracuse -26
Opening Total: N/A
Current Total: N/A
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Manhattan opened its season with a 62-48 win over NJIT in a non-lined contest and now step up in competition in traveling to the Carrier Dome for the first time in six years in the opening round of the NIT Season Tip-Off. Jaspers head coach Steve Masiello earned his first Division I victory in that effort. “It’s an awesome feeling, it’s a dream come true,” commented Masiello. “They are the ones who got it done.” As a program, Manhattan should come in with some confidence in facing an opponent from the Big East Conference, dropping an 87-82 overtime decision as a 13.5-point underdog in 2005. The team is 9-1-1 ATS on the road in its last 11 tries.
The Jaspers brought back 10 letterwinners, including four starters from a year ago, led by George Beamon who earned All-MAAC Third Team in averaging 16.3 points per game last year. Under a new coach, Manhattan will be playing a more up-tempo style. Beamon started 30 of 31 games a year ago and ended up tallying double digits in scoring in 28 of those contests.
Syracuse had no trouble in opening up the 2011-12 campaign with a victory, coming away with a 78-53 win over the Fordham Rams as 24-point home favorites. The Orange displayed that defense will once again be a strength under longtime head coach Jim Boeheim, as the team allowed 63.3 points per game last year. “Defensively, you look at our zone, if all our hands are up and we’re moving like we’re suppose to, it’s a scary thing to go against,” commented Orange forward Kris Joseph. Syracuse is a legitimate top 10 team in returning four starters, while posting a 5-1 ATS mark on Mondays.
The Orange will be coached by Boeheim for the 36th season, as he posted his 32nd win to open a season on the sidelines in that time. Syracuse will likely walk away with a victory in this contest, winning 23 straight non-conference home games by a dominating 24.0 points on average, while registering a 20-7 all-time record in his particular series. It’s definitely not a look-ahead spot for the Orange, as the next game is either against Albany or Brown.
Bettors will likely back the Jaspers due to their 13-5-1 ATS mark on Mondays, while the Orange are 2-5 ATS following a win of 20 or more points.
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