(5) Syracuse (15-1) at Rutgers (9-6)
Sports Network | January 13, 2010
GAME NOTES: The fifth-ranked Syracuse Orange kick off a three-game road trip tonight, as they square off against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in a Big East clash at the RAC.
This is only the second true road game of the season for the Orange, which opened league play with an 80-73 triumph at Seton Hall on December 29th. Syracuse was upended by Pittsburgh (82-72) a few nights later, but has since bounced back with wins over Memphis (74-57) and most recently South Florida (82-65) on Sunday. The 15-1 Orange will next face 10th-ranked West Virginia on Saturday before closing its trip at Notre Dame on Monday.
As for the Knights, they bring a four-game slide into tonight's bout, with the last three losses all occurring in league play. On Saturday, Rutgers was exploited in a 94-81 loss at Providence, as it fell to 9-6 overall. The Knights however, have held their own at home this season, boasting an 8-2 mark at the RAC.
With respect to the all-time series, Syracuse holds a commanding 35-9 lead over Rutgers and the Orange swept both meetings with the Knights last season.
The Orange connected on 50.9 percent of its attempts from the floor and tallied 50 of its 82 points in the paint en route to a victory over USF on Sunday. Wes Johnson led the charge with a double-double of 19 points and 13 rebounds, while Rick Jackson contributed 15 points and a pair of steals. For the season, Johnson has been outstanding in his initial run with the Orange and he tops the squad in scoring (17.4 ppg), rebounding (8.9 rpg) and steals (29). Arinze Onuaku is second in line with 10.3 ppg and Jackson adds 10.2 ppg and a team-high 7.1 rpg to the rotation. Kris Joseph and Brandon Triche each chip in with 10.1 ppg for the Orange, which is averaging a healthy 85.5 ppg and shooting an efficient 53.6 percent from the floor.
In their worst defensive performance of the season, the Knights allowed Providence to shoot 47.8 percent from the floor in a 94-81 setback on Saturday. Rutgers was also outscored at the foul line, 21-11, and its 8-of-30 effort from long range didn't help matters either. Dane Miller came off the bench and paced the Knights with 26 points and seven boards, while Jonathan Mitchell and Hamady Ndiaye posted 18 and 16 points, respectively. Mike Rosario, however, had an off game, as he finished with just two points on 1- of-11 field goals. It was obviously a disappointing performance for Rosario, the team's leading scorer on the season with 16.1 ppg. Mitchell is the only other active player on the roster currently scoring in double figures, with 10.5 ppg.
The Orange simply has too many weapons and too much firepower for Rutgers to handle, so expect Syracuse to coast to victory tonight.
GAME NOTES: The fifth-ranked Syracuse Orange kick off a three-game road trip tonight, as they square off against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in a Big East clash at the RAC.
FACTS & STATS: Louis Brown Athletic Center (8,500) -- Piscataway, New Jersey. Television: SNY. Home Record: Syracuse 11-1, Rutgers 8-2. Away Record: Syracuse 1-0, Rutgers 0-3. Neutral Record: Syracuse 3-0, Rutgers 1-1. Conference Record: Syracuse 2-1, Rutgers 0-3. Series Record: Syracuse leads, 35-9.
Syracuse 79, Rutgers 63
