Syracuse @ #16 Ohio State

Who will WIN this matchup?

Syracuse Orange (3-2)

@ #16 Ohio State Buckeyes (6-0)

Current odds:

Syracuse Orange: (+185)

Ohio State Buckeyes: (-225)

• The line for this game is Ohio State by 5 points.

• Ohio State generated headlines ahead of Wednesday’s ACC/Big Ten Challenge before the game against Syracuse is even played. The unbeaten Buckeyes not only moved up to No. 16 in the coaches’ poll, but became the first team to be ranked No. 1 in the NCAA’s new NET ratings. The Net Evaluation Tool ranking was adopted this season to replace the Ratings Percentage Index as the primary means for the NCAA Tournament selection committee to evaluate Division I teams. Ohio State is off to a great start this season, but the lofty No. 1 spot came out of the blue. The criteria includes location and victory margin as well and offensive and defensive efficiencies – and Ohio State has two impressive road wins this month at Cincinnati in the season opener and at Creighton in the Gavitt Tipoff Games. Beating Syracuse would be another feather in Ohio State’s cap.

• The Buckeyes cruised past Cleveland State 89-62 on Friday night in the first game at the program’s former home, St. John Arena, since 2010. Kaleb Wesson, the team’s leading scorer and rebounder this season at 14.7 points and 5.8 boards per game, continued to pace Ohio State with 19 points, six rebounds, four steals and three assists against the Vikings. Experienced guard C.J. Jackson has been inconsistent in the first six games but scored 17 points in the latest win.

• The Orange haven’t started the season as they expected, but a win over the Buckeyes, which would be Syracuse’s first on the road in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, could get them back on track. Syracuse bounced back to beat Colgate after losing to Oregon and Connecticut in the 2K Classic in New York. Starting point guard Frank Howard gave Syracuse a boost in his return from an ankle injury against Colgate with three points, five assists, no turnovers and three steals.

• Syracuse 7-foot-2 C Paschal Chukwu (strained groin) was injured in the win over Colgate and might miss Wednesday’s game, which would be a blow because he’s the player most capable of matching up against the powerful Wesson in the paint.

• Ohio State will honor former coach Thad Matta, who led the Buckeyes to two Final Four appearances, and his family during Wednesday’s game in Value City Arena.

•  Syracuse has lost three non-conference games only six times in the past 27 years, and each of those seasons it failed to make the NCAA Tournament.