Cincinnati Bearcats at Syracuse Orange, Carrier Dome, Syracuse, NY
Saturday, January 15, 2011, 12:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN3
Opening Line: Syracuse -7.5
Current Line: Syracuse -8
Opening Total: 131.5
Current Total: 132
Money Line: Syracuse -360 / Cincinnati +300

The fourth-ranked Syracuse Orange (17-0, 4-0 Big East) hope to stay unbeaten and knock the 25th-ranked Cincinnati Bearcats (16-1, 3-1) out of the Top 25 by handing them their second consecutive loss on Saturday at the Carrier Dome.  The Orange (-8) also need to be careful not to look past the Bearcats and ahead to Monday’s road showdown at #5 Pittsburgh on ESPN.

Syracuse has rarely been tested lately during the team’s perfect start to the season and is coming off consecutive road wins at Seton Hall and St. John’s over the past week.  The win over the Pirates last Saturday was an exception, especially since they played without leading scorer Jeremy Hazell.  The Orange led just 20-19 at halftime before building a bit of a cushion in the second half and holding on for the 61-56 victory.

The win over the Red Storm on Wednesday was much easier for Syracuse after a rough start that saw St. John’s go up 15-7 before the visitors struck back with an 18-3 run that seized control of the game for good.  The Orange would not look back in that one but will need to get off to a much better start here in preparation for what will be a very difficult game against the Panthers.

Cincinnati has dropped four of the last five meetings with Syracuse, including a 71-54 home loss last February 7.  The Bearcats suffered their first setback this season at Villanova 72-61 last Sunday but rebounded on Wednesday with a 74-66 home win against South Florida.  They were able to make 13 of 14 free throws down the stretch against the Bulls and were led by Sean Kilpatrick’s 18 points off the bench.

No Cincy player averages more than 12.5 points per game, and top scorer Dion Dixon has been held to single digits in three of the past six.  The Bearcats have relied heavily on their defense, limiting opponents to a Big East-low 55.6 points per game.  The Orange are right behind them at 59.8 points per game and have held teams to a league-best 37.2 percent shooting from the field.

Syracuse is one of only four remaining undefeated teams in Division I and begins the most difficult stretch of the season with three straight games against ranked opponents.  The Orange have seen their best offensive players start raising their play lately, as leading scorer Kris Joseph is averaging 20.6 points and Scoop Jardine 16.6 points in their last five games.  They have not covered two straight games this season, and the UNDER is 3-1 in their last four.

Now that you have read this Big East college basketball betting preview featuring Syracuse & Cincinnati, check out the NCAA basketball odds on this and all the games to compare the best lines at multiple sportsbooks.