College Basketball Betting: Freshman Jonny Flynn Sets Record for No. 25 Orange

Jonny Flynn takes it to the hole for the Orange. (AP Images)

Jim Boeheim’s list of big-time recruits is as long as Derrick Coleman’s wing span. Add Jonny Flynn to the ledger of stars to play under the Syracuse coach.

Flynn, a 6-foot guard from Niagara Falls, broke Carmelo Anthony’s school record for most points by a freshman in a debut game and the 25th-ranked Orange outlasted a feisty Siena squad, 97-89, on Monday night in the Preseason NIT.

Behind 28 points from Flynn, Syracuse held on for the college basketball victory but failed to cover the point spread, which favored it by 14. Flynn shot 10-for-13 shooting and hit six of his seven three-point attempts in the East Region matchup. He added nine assists but did commit five turnovers.

Fellow freshman Donte Greene had 14 points as Syracuse opened its season in front of a raucous crowd that has high expectations. Although the Orange were 24-11 last season, they were left out of the NCAA Tournament. This year, their March Madness odds are 30/1 to win it all.

In other Preseason NIT games on Monday:

St. Joseph’s 86, Fairleigh Dickinson 66: The Hawks covered the 17.5-point spread at home and will face Syracuse on Tuesday in the East Region.

Ohio State 91, Wisconsin-Green Bay 68: The Buckeyes got a career-high 21 points from Todd Lighty in a convincing home win. They covered the 14.5-point spread in the Midwest Region.

Columbia 47, Delaware State 41: Host Columbia covered the four-point spread at home to advance in the Midwest Region.

For college basketball odds, hit up the Bodog Sportsbook.