Thursday, March 20, 11:45 AM on CBS

First Niagara Center, Buffalo, New York

Opening Lines & Odds - Syracuse -12 -- Over/Under: 128

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Not many experts are giving Syracuse a legitimate chance at 2014 tournament success after they've faltered lately, but some home cooking could be what's needed to get the Orange back on track. Syracuse got a great draw as the 3 seed playing the first two rounds in Buffalo, NY and rounds 3 and 4 in their 2nd home, Madison Square Garden. Of course an opening round loss throws all that out the window and the 14th seeded Western Michigan Broncos would love to make that happen as early 12 point underdogs.

The Orange spent a good portion of the season as the #1 team in the nation and won their first 25 games to start off 2013-14. It's what they've done lately that has pundits worried as Syracuse has dropped 5 of their last 7 games. On paper Syracuse has the talent advantage with C.J. Fair and Tyler Ennis being legitimate prospects for the NBA next season. The Orange will also look different with the return of Jerami Grant, who in two games since returning from injury has posted games of 19 points and 10 rebounds and 16 points and 8 boards respectively.

Western Michigan got hot at the right time to win the MAC and earn an automatic bid for the tournament. After losing 5 of 9 games, the Broncos have gone 14-2 since and are led by 6'3” guard David Brown, who has averaged 19.4 points per game including 32 in the conference title game. It will be the first appearance in the tournament since 2004 for Western Michigan and they'll look to damper Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim's 25-5 record in the opening round.

ATS Trends

Syracuse is 14-12-2 ATS this season

Syracuse is 10-17-0 against the over/under this season

Western Michigan is 16-12-1 ATS this season

Western Michigan is 14-12-0 against the over/under this season

Injuries to Watch

Syracuse

03/17/14 G Trevor Cooney Ankle probable Thursday vs. Western Michigan
01/24/14 F DaJuan Coleman Knee out for season

Western Michigan

No Key Injuries to Report

Tony's Pick: Take Syracuse

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