Tigers  57    Orange  74

Memphis (10-3) at (7) Syracuse (13-1)

Sports Network | January 6, 2010

GAME NOTES: The seventh-ranked Syracuse Orange and the Memphis Tigers are set to collide in what should be an entertaining, non-conference affair.

Memphis has won three of its last four games to move to 10-3 overall. The Tigers, who have yet to play a Conference USA affair, are coming off a 93-52 romp over Houston Baptist on Sunday. All three losses suffered by Memphis thus far have come by seven or fewer points.

As for Syracuse, it opened the season with 13 consecutive victories, but the team finally tasted defeat on Saturday with an 82-72 loss to Pittsburgh. Still, the Orange are considered one of the nation's elite teams, as they have defeated the likes of California, North Carolina and Florida thus far. They are 9-1 at home and eager to get back on the court.

Syracuse has won two of its three all-time meetings with Memphis, including a 72-65 triumph over the Tigers last season.

The Tigers are averaging 78.3 ppg this season, and they are limiting opponents to 58.2 ppg on 39 percent shooting from the floor, including 29.2 percent from three-point range. Elliot Williams is netting 19.7 ppg, and he has dished out 53 assists. Doneal Mack checks in with 11.2 ppg, and Wesley Witherspoon provides 10.5 ppg. Rounding out a foursome of double-digit scorers is Roburt Sallie with 10.4 ppg. In the easy victory over an overmatched Houston Baptist squad last time out, Sallie scored 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field. Williams tallied 15 points and eight assists, while Witherspoon pitched in 13 points off the bench. Pierre Henderson-Niles and Willie Kemp added 11 points apiece for the Tigers, who finished with 21 assists and 10 turnovers. A 47-35 rebounding advantage also helped the cause.

Syracuse is generating 86.6 ppg on 53.7 percent shooting from the floor, and the club is limiting opponents to 64.6 ppg on 36.9 percent field goal efficiency. Wes Johnson is the leading scorer for the Orange with 17.1 ppg on 57.9 percent shooting from the floor, and he is pulling down 8.8 rpg to go along with 31 blocks and 28 steals. Brandon Triche provides 10.6 ppg, Kris Joseph adds 10.4 ppg, and Arinze Onuaku rounds out a foursome of double-digit scorers with 10.2 ppg. In the 10-point loss to Pittsburgh, Syracuse had two more turnovers than assists and shot a lowly 1-of-13 from three-point range. Johnson tallied 19 points in the setback, while Scoop Jardine added 15 points off the bench. As for Joseph, he tallied 10 points and nine rebounds in a reserve role.

Don't expect a second consecutive loss for the Orange, as they will take care of business against Memphis. Syracuse will get plenty of support from the home crowd.

GAME NOTES: The seventh-ranked Syracuse Orange and the Memphis Tigers are set to collide in what should be an entertaining, non-conference affair.

FACTS & STATS: Site: Carrier Dome (33,000) -- Syracuse, New York. Television: ESPN2. Home Record: Memphis 9-1, Syracuse 9-1. Away Record: Memphis 1-1, Syracuse 1-0. Neutral Record: Memphis 0-1, Syracuse 3-0. Conference Record: Memphis 0-0, Syracuse 1-1. Series Record: Syracuse leads, 2-1.

Syracuse 84, Memphis 75