Indiana vs. Syracuse Prediction and Odds: Hoosiers Set to Make Statement on Road

Indiana has welcomed back former NBA head coach and IU alumni Mike Woodson back with open arms as their new leader, and the early returns have been positive.

While the team hasn't been challenged all too much, the Hoosiers are out to a 6-0 start as they hit the road for the first time this season in the ACC/Big Ten challenge against Syracuse at the Carrier Dome.

The Orange are fresh off a trip to the Bahamas, which include losses to VCU and Auburn, and a win against Arizona State.

Syracuse has some sweet jump shooting on hand and head coach Jim Boeheim's patent 2-3 zone, can IU crack the code? Before we give out a best bet, let's look at the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook.

Indiana vs. Syracuse Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

• Indiana -2.5 (-110)
• Syracuse +2.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

• Indiana -160
• Syracuse +135

Total: 147 (Over -110/Under -110)

Indiana vs. Syracuse Prediction and Pick

This matchup sets up nicely for Indiana, despite only playing one high major opponent in St. John's so far. Syracuse's zone defense is susceptible to big men that can shoot from the foul line extended but also pass out of it, which IU has in future Trayce Jackson-Davis.

TJD is off of a 43 point outing against Marshall and commands a ton of attention on offense. The Hoosiers have decent outside shooting that the big man can kick out to in Xavier Johnson (career 34% shooting) and Miller Kopp (35%) for Jackson-Davis to kick out to if he's not taking over inside.

On the other end, Syracuse relies on their outside shooting to generate all of their offense, and Indiana's defense should be able to limit the Orange's one-on-one style of play.

While acknowledging that they have played an easy schedule, the Hoosiers are allowing the lowest effective field goal percentage to opponents this season, which weighs more on three-point attempts. Lastly, the Hoosiers are limiting three-point attempts and funneling opponents inside to TJD, a good way to slow down the Orange offense. IU is top 50 in the country in opponent three-point rate.

After opening +1.5, the Hoosiers are now 2.5-point favorites. I'm going to hope for some buy back and play the Hoosiers at -2 or better.

LEAN: Indiana -2 if it appears