The Indiana Hoosiers and Syracuse Orange meet Monday at 6:30 p.m. ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in a matchup of unbeaten teams. Both squads enter at 2-0, with Indiana favored by 5.5 points and the over/under set at 146.5 total points.
Indiana's Fast Start
Indiana has won its first two games at home, defeating Eastern Illinois 91-57 and Bellarmine 92-69. Darren Harris led the way with 23 points and five 3-pointers against Bellarmine, while Bryce Lindsay added 15 and Aiden Sherrell 12. Coach Darian DeVries has emphasized pace, and the Hoosiers' bench has averaged 43 points through two games. Freshman Trevor Manhertz is averaging 10 points and has hit four of eight 3-point attempts.
Syracuse Under New Leadership
First-year coach Gerry McNamara, a member of Syracuse's 2003 national championship team, has guided the Orange to a 74-58 win over New Haven and a 102-49 rout of Central Connecticut. Gavin Doty averages 16 points and nine rebounds, while Kiyan Anthony contributes 15.5 points per game. Sadiq White Jr. has grabbed 10 rebounds in each contest.
Betting Preview and Projections
The Orange have won six straight meetings with Indiana, including a double-overtime thriller in 2021, though rosters have changed significantly. SportsLine's projection model predicts an 81-73 Hoosiers victory, with Indiana covering the 5.5-point spread in 58% of simulations. The model also favors the over 147.5 total points, hitting in 68% of simulations, as Indiana's first two games produced 148 and 161 combined points.
Indiana's perimeter depth and transition offense will test a Syracuse defense that has yet to face a high-major opponent. The Hoosiers will need to limit second-chance opportunities against a strong Orange rebounding unit led by Doty and White.
