First-Ever Orange-Bearcat Hoop Encounter On Jan. 14
1/12/2006 6:45:51 PM | Men's Basketball
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Game Notes
CINCINNATI, OHIO -- How is it possible that Syracuse (14-2, 2-0 BIG EAST) and Cincinnati (13-3, 2-1 BIG EAST), two of the nation's most successful college basketball programs, have managed to avoid each other all these years? There is no old game film to refer back to as Coach Jim Boeheim prepares his team for its first-ever meeting against the Cincinnati Bearcats.
The game will be televised by ESPN Regional Television. The Syracuse ISP Radio Network will provide a full broadcast, while SIRIUS Satellite Radio is providing a broadcast of the game on channel 110.
The Orange has won its last 11 games, but this is the first time this season it will play back-to-back games on the road in the opponent's home facility. SU won at Notre Dame's Joyce Center on Wednesday, 88-82. It defeated South Florida in its first league game of the season, 63-57, on Jan. 8. SU is looking for its third conference win of the season and sixth-straight against a team from the BIG EAST. The Orange has not lost to a squad from the league since an 88-70 decision at Connecticut on March 5, 2005. SU beat Rutgers, Connecticut and West Virginia to win the 2005 BIG EAST Conference Tournament.
Cincinnati, ranked No. 25 in this week's Associated Press poll, aims to recover from Monday's 70-59 loss at No. 4 Connecticut, which ended its 10-game winning streak. The Bearcats will be without senior Armein Kirkland, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the loss to the Huskies. Senior guard James White leads the team in scoring with 17.6 ppg. He is followed by senior forward Eric Hicks, who averages 15.1 ppg and a team-best 9.1 rpg. SU will also have to pay attention to freshman guard Devan Downey, a proven playmaker with 13.3 points and 4.0 assists per game. Cedric McGowan (8.8 ppg, 7.1 rpg) mans the other foward spot, while Chad Moore (2.6 ppg) is slated to start in the backcourt.
