SU Puts Winning Streak on the Line Versus Michigan State
1/2/2004 10:18:47 AM | Men's Basketball
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The #17/20 Syracuse men’s basketball team (8-1) will put its eight-game winning streak on the line this weekend when it hosts Big Ten foe Michigan State on Saturday, Jan. 3 at 12:00 p.m. in the Carrier Dome.
The Orangemen have posted eight victories since their season-opening loss to Charlotte on Nov. 26. SU earned a 17-point triumph, 87-70, versus in-state rival Canisius in its last outing on Dec. 30. Sophomore Billy Edelin had a career night against the Griffs, scoring a personal-best 28 points on 14-of-17 shooting. He also tied his career high with nine rebounds and added nine assists. Edelin leads the team with 54 assists and has notched at least six helpers in the last four games. He is also averaging 14.8 points per outing.
Junior Hakim Warrick leads SU with a 19.6 points per game average. Sophomore Gerry McNamara averaging 16.6 points per game and is the club’s leading three-point shooter at 40 percent. He canned five triples against Canisius to move within one of tying Dave Johnson for eighth on SU’s all-time three-point field goals made list at 116.
Head coach Tom Izzo and the Spartans bring a 5-5 mark into Saturday’s matchup. Michigan State has played one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country with four of its losses coming against top-10 opponents (Kansas, Duke, Oklahoma and Kentucky). The Spartans posted a 78-72 triumph against Coppin State in its most recent outing on Dec. 30.
Paul Davis has started all 10 games for the Spartans and is their top scorer (14.8 ppg) and rebounder (7.0 rpg). Chris Hill is Michigan States top threat from behind the arc, having hit on 46 percent of his three-point attempts (28-61). Hill connected on 10 treys against SU last year, the most ever by an opposing player against the Orange. Kelvin Torbert gives the Spartans a third player scoring in double figures (11.4 ppg).
SU holds a slight 8-7 lead in the all-time series. The Orangemen squeezed a 1-point win at the Breslin Center last season, 76-75. Syracuse overcame Hill’s 10 three-pointers and 34 points to earn the victory. Carmelo Anthony was a perfect 5-for-5 from three-point range and scored 25 points in the win. The two squads also matched up in the 2000 NCAA Tournament. Michigan State won that contest 75-58 on its way to the national championship.
Saturday’s game will be televised live on CBS. Gus Johnson will handle the play-by-play duties, while Clark Kellogg will provide color commentary.
Fans can listen to the game on the SU Radio Network. The pre-game show will begin 60 minutes prior to tip off on 1260 AM with the rest of the network joining the broadcast 30 minutes before game time. Fans can also hear the contest live via the Internet at www.suathletics.com.
All gates at the Carrier Dome will open 90 minutes prior to tip-off.
