The 11th ranked Syracuse Orange surprisingly dominated the San Diego State Aztecs in the first round and will now face the third-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers on Sunday, March 21st. It’s time to continue the NCAA odds series and make a Syracuse vs. West Virginia prediction and pick.

The Orange (17-9) didn't look like an 11th ranked team on Friday after demolishing the Aztecs impressively. Meanwhile, the Mountaineers (19-9) proved why they entered the tournament ranked number three in the Midwest bracket. This should be a solid game throughout, as both teams aim to continue their journey through the March Madness tournament. Let's see what the NCAA odds are on this game.

Here is how the sportsbooks lay out the odds for this thrilling matchup:

NCAA Odds: Syracuse-West Virginia Odds

Syracuse +4 (+164)

West Virginia -4 (-184)

Over 147 (-110)

Under 147 (-110)

Why Syracuse Could Cover the Spread

Jim Boeheim has been the head coach of the Orange since 1976 and aims to win the second championship of his career. Syracuse is known for their sturdy 2-3 zone on defense and it'll be on full display against the Mountaineers. That zone defense gave the Aztecs' fits, as San Diego State settled for three-point shots they couldn't make. Syracuse is known for their defense and will be relying on it in this matchup.

Offensively, the team is led by Buddy Boeheim, the son of Jim Boeheim. Buddy has been able to average 17.7 points per game, making him a dangerous scorer West Virginia must pay attention to. With Boeheim more of a perimeter threat, Quincy Guerrier has been a consistent player down low. Averaging 14 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, Guerrier gives the Orange a balanced attack on the offense.

Why West Virginia Could Cover the Spread

The Mountaineers have a decent inside-outside option themselves that shouldn't be ignored. Miles McBride has been as good as it gets. Averaging 16 points and 4.8 assists per game, McBride has played as the main facilitator for West Virginia this year. Meanwhile, Derek Culver has played as one of the best big-men in the country. Averaging 14.5 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, Culver provides dominance in the paint. He's been a great second option for McBride, giving the Mountaineers a fantastic duo to rely on.

The one area West Virginia has an outright edge is their free-throw shooting. They've attempted the seventh most free throws in the nation. Going to the line has kept the Mountaineers within reach of most of their games. They'll likely be physical in this matchup against the Orange, and try to weaken the 2-3 zone by putting Syracuse in foul trouble early.

Final Syracuse-West Virginia Prediction & Pick

This should be one of the best games to watch on Sunday, as both teams will be playing at a high level. Both squads have solid options on the perimeter and in the paint, making this an equal matchup. Look for West Virginia to play physically throughout as they'll be trying to get to the free-throw line. However, it might not be enough to keep the Orange at bay. If Syracuse's defense plays as they did on Friday, they have a chance to beat anyone in the tournament. Take the +4 spread given to the Orange here.

Syracuse-West Virginia Prediction Final Pick: Syracuse Orange wins 74-72