Orange, Wolverines Clash in ACC/Big Ten Challenge

Syracuse at Michigan
Game Details	Tuesday, Dec. 2 \| Ann Arbor, Mich. \| 7:30 p.m. Crisler Center
Game Coverage	TV: ESPN/ESPN3 \| Radio: Syracuse IMG Network Video \| Audio \| Live Stats Twitter: @cuse
Syracuse Links	Notes \| News \| Roster \| Schedule
Michigan Links	Notes \| News \| Roster \| Schedule

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – RV/RV Syracuse puts its three-game winning streak on the line when it takes on No. 17/16 Michigan in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Tuesday, Dec. 2. Opening tip in Ann Arbor is set for 7:30 p.m.

The game will be televised on ESPN and ESPN3. Fans not in attendance can listen to the action on the Syracuse IMG Radio Network and its flagship TK99 (99.5 FM). Live audio will be available on CuseTV on Cuse.com. Subscriptions to CuseTV are available at daily, monthly and yearly rates.

ORANGE IN THE ACC/BIG TEN CHALLENGE
Syracuse is making its second appearance in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Last season, the Orange hosted Indiana in the Carrier Dome. Syracuse used a 25-4 that spanned more than 10 minutes in the second half as it defeated the Hoosiers, 69-52. Trevor Cooney led a group of three SU players in double figures in scoring with a game-high 21 points.

PREGAME READING
What to Watch For – Syracuse (5-1)
1. With his performance against Holy Cross, Rakeem Christmas became the first SU center to score 20 or more points in a game since Arinze Onuaku accomplished the feat on March 2, 2010 against St. John's. Christmas was 8-for-10 from the floor and 9-for-10 from the free throw line for a career-high 25 points against the Crusaders.
2. Christmas now ranks fourth in the ACC in scoring, averaging 17.5 points per game. Freshman Chris McCullough has climbed to ninth in the league in scoring, adding 15.3 points per game.
3. Chris McCullough posted his second double-double of the season in the Orange's win against Holy Cross. He scored 14 points and grabbed a season-high 13 rebounds.

What to Watch For – Michigan (5-1)
1. Michigan rebounded from its only loss this season with a 91-62 win against Nicholls State last Saturday. The Wolverines' had their season-opening four-game winning streak snapped against Villanova in the finals of the Legends Classic.
2. Michigan is led by a one-two punch of Zak Irvin and Caris LeVert. Irvin averages a team-best 17.7 points per game, while LeVert is right behind with a 17.5 points-per-game average. LeVert leads the team in rebounding (6.2 rpg), assists (18) and steals (12).
3. John Beilein is in his eighth season at the helm of the Michigan program. He guided the Wolverines to their first outright Big Ten championship in 28 years in 2013-14 as the squad finished the year with a 28-9 overall record and a 15-3 mark in league play. Michigan earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the Elite Eight. Previously, Beilein served as head coach at West Virginia, Richmond, Canisius, LeMoyne, Nazareth and Erie Community College.

THE SERIES
Syracuse holds an 8-6 advantage in the series against Michigan. The last time the squads met was in the 2013 NCAA Tournament semifinals in Atlanta. The Orange trailed by 11, 36-25, at halftime, but came back in the second half and eventually cut the deficit to one with 41 seconds left to play. Michigan closed out the scoring with two free throws and a field goal to record a 61-56 victory.

UP NEXT…
St. John's returns to the Carrier Dome to face Syracuse on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 5:15 p.m.

Orange, Wolverines Clash in ACC/Big Ten Challenge

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Players Mentioned

Rakeem Christmas

Trevor Cooney

Chris McCullough

Syracuse University Athletics