Syracuse University
Rutgers University
Orange Hosts Scarlet Knights Saturday
2/18/2011 1:54:31 PM | Men's Basketball
| GAME #28 | ||
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vs. |  |
| Game Info | Saturday, Feb. 19 | 4 p.m. | Game Notes | |
| Location | Carrier Dome | Tickets | |
| Game Day | ||
| TV/Radio | BIG EAST Network | TK99 | espn3.com | |
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – No. 17/20 Syracuse goes for its second consecutive win on Saturday, Feb. 20 when its hosts Rutgers in the Carrier Dome. Tip off is set for 4 p.m. The Orange enters the game with an overall record of 21-6 and an 8-6 mark in BIG EAST play. The Scarlet Knights are 13-12 this season, including a 4-9 mark in conference action.
Fans can watch the game live on the BIG EAST Network or listen to the action via the Syracuse Sports Network and its flagship TK99 (99.5 FM). The audio stream of the radio broadcast will be available on SUathletics.com as part of Orange All Access. Subscriptions to Orange All Access are available at daily, monthly and yearly rates.
ORANGE TURNS UP THE D
Syracuse's defense, particularly in the second half, was a key factor in its win against West Virginia. The Orange recorded 13 steals and blocked four shots against the Mountaineers. The Orange limited West Virginia to just seven field goals and 22 points in the second half as it overcame a four-point halftime deficit. After going 10-for-22 (.450) in the first half, West Virginia converted only 7-of-25 (.280) attempts after the break.
This season, Syracuse ranks third in the BIG EAST, allowing 62.5 points per game. The Orange also ranks second in the league in blocked shots (6.4 per game) and steals (8.7 per game).
JACKSON READY TO JOIN EXCLUSIVE GROUP
Senior Rick Jackson has already placed his name among the top players who have worn the orange. He's on the verge of joining another elite group. Jackson needs just 10 more rebounds to join Syracuse's top 10 career rebounders. He enters Saturday's game with 871 rebounds in 135 career games. With 10 more rebounds, he would tie Louis Orr (1976-80) for 10th place on the Orange's all-time leader list.
Jackson leads the BIG EAST and ranks fifth in the nation in rebounding this season, averaging 11.2 per game.
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE ORANGE
The Orange celebrated Valentine's Day with a 63-52 victory against West Virginia in the Carrier Dome. Sophomore Brandon Triche led Syracuse with 20 points in head coach Jim Boeheim's 850th career victory.
Neither team could pull away in the first half, which included four ties and three lead changes. West Virginia hit two consecutive three-pointers to take a 30-24 lead with 1:15 remaining in the half. Trailing, 30-26, Syracuse held the ball for the last possession of the half, but #DionWaiters#' three-point attempt rimmed out as the Mountaineers took a four-point lead into the locker room at halftime.
The Orange started the second half strong and regained the lead, 38-35, at the 17-minute mark as Triche and junior Scoop Jardine hit back-to-back three pointers. Those two baskets sparked SU on a 14-2 scoring run that included eight points from Triche. The Mountaineers came back and cut Syracuse's lead to 51-49 with eight minutes remaining. Two consecutive steals help the Orange extend its lead to eight, 57-49, with 6:25 on the clock. Senior Rick Jackson hit junior Kris Joseph on a backdoor cut for a dunk and Syracuse led, 61-52, with 3:35 to play. Joseph hit a pair of free throws for the 63-52 final.
Triche led Syracuse's second-half comeback with 13 points after intermission. Joseph finished with 16 points, while Jackson added 10 points and nine rebounds.
SCOUTING RUTGERS
Rutgers enters Saturday's game at the Carrier Dome with an overall record of 13-12 and a mark of 4-9 in BIG EAST games. In their last game, the Scarlet Knights suffered a setback to Seton Hall, 69-64. Senior Jonathon Mitchell led the team with 24 points.
Mitchell leads Rutgers in scoring and rebounding, averaging 14.9 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. Sophomore Dane Miller is the Scarlet Knights' second-leading scorer with 9.3 points per game.
Saturday's game will be a reunion of sorts for a pair of freshmen. Rutgers' Austin Carroll and Syracuse's #C.J. Fair# were teammates at the Brewster Academy in New Hampshire.
Head coach Mike Rice is in his first season at the helm at Rutgers, his fourth overall. He has an overall record of 86-43 (.667). Prior to Rutgers, Rice was the head coach at Robert Morris from 2007-10.
THE SERIES
Syracuse leads the all-time series against Rutgers, 36-9. Since 1996, the two teams have met every season. Last season, the Orange defeated the Scarlet Knights, 81-65. Syracuse has won 10 consecutive games against Rutgers. Its last loss was during the 2002-03 season.
