It sounds overly simplistic, but this game is going to come down to whichever team shoots it better. I think that team will be Baylor. The Bears led the Big 12 in three-point shooting at 37.3 percent during conference play, and that will come in handy against a zone team like Syracuse. The Bears are also the superior rebounding team despite Syracuse being the tallest and longest team in the country. In a game that should be tight, it's hard to pass on the better shooting and rebounding team.

Syracuse was -2 and then news came out the starting point guard Frank Howard would be suspended for violating team rules. Howard missed the first four games of the year and the Cuse went 2-2 SU/1-3 ATS. His first game back Boeheim said he was the leader of his team and the most important player. Syracuse leading scorer Tyus Battle missed the Duke game and Howard was the one guy who stepped up to keep his team in the game. Battle missed the game because of a hip injury which Boeheim said early in the day that Battle had no chance to play. Battle is far from 100 percent and without Howard, I can not see them staying close to Baylor. The Bears strength is on the offensive end, especially offensive rebounding which is Syracuse's weakness on defense.

The suspension of Syracuse PG Frank Howard more than negates Baylor’s so-so accuracy from three-point range, which won’t help the Bears against the Orange’s zone defense. Howard was the ‘Cuse standout at the ACC Tournament, with 46 points in two games. Additionally, he logged an average of 38 minutes. A team with limited depth will painfully feel his absence.

These teams have a similar make-up, as they win games with physicality on the boards and tenacity on the defensive end. Baylor managed to reach the postseason despite losing perhaps its best player, Tristan Clark, to a season-ending injury. But the Bears have lost four in a row. The Orange have more depth and more firepower than they've had in recent seasons. They were without scoring leader Tyus Battle in the ACC Tournament but still battle Duke and Zion Williamson to the wire. Battle will be back Thursday and look for the Orange to outlast the Bears in a battle of similar strengths.