League Rival Villanova Next for #1 Orange

Syracuse vs. Villanova
Game Details	Wednesday, Jan. 11 \| Philadelphia, Pa. \| 7 p.m. Wells Fargo Center
Game Coverage	TV: ESPN2/ESPN3 \| Radio: WTKW 99.5 FM Orange All Access: Audio Twitter: @suorangeempire
Syracuse Links	Notes \| News \| Roster \| Schedule
Villanova Links	Notes \| News \| Roster \| Schedule

PHILADELPHIA -- No. 1 Syracuse (17-0, 4-0) puts its 17-game winning streak on the line when it takes on Villanova (8-8, 1-3) on Wednesday, Jan. 11. Game time at the Wells Fargo Center is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Wednesday's game will be broadcast live on the ESPN2 and ESPN3. Fans can also follow the action on the Syracuse IMG Radio Network and its flagship TK99 (99.5 FM). The audio stream of the broadcast will be available on Orange All Access on SUathletics.com. Subscriptions to Orange All Access are available at daily, monthly and yearly rates.

17 AND COUNTING
Syracuse extended its winning streak to 17 games with a 73-66 victory against Marquette. The Orange is now two wins away from equaling its best start in school history. SU has opened the season with 17 straight wins for the second consecutive year. Syracuse started last season by winning its first 18 games, which marked the second-best start in program history. The 1999-2000 squad posted SU's longest winning streak to open the season when it won its first 19 games.

AND THEN THERE WERE THREE
The Orange is one of just three Division I teams that remain undefeated this season. The exclusive group includes Baylor (16-0) and Murray State (16-0). Baylor defeated Kansas State, 75-73, on Tuesday to extend its winning streak to 16 games.

TRICHE HEATING UP
Junior Brandon Triche has reached double figures in scoring in the last four games. During that span, he was 10-for-20 from three-point range and averaged 13.3 points per game. Triche is tied for the team lead and 15th in the BIG EAST in three-pointers made (1.7 per game). He is averaging 10.6 points per game this season, which ranks third on the squad.

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE ORANGE
Syracuse built an 18-point lead in the first half and then held off a Marquette comeback attempt as the Orange defeated the Golden Eagles, 73-66, on Saturday, Jan. 7. The win extended the Orange's winning streak to 17 games.

SU outscored Marquette, 19-0 , midway through the first half and led by 23 at 35-12 with 2:12 remaining in the first period. The Orange held the Golden Eagles scoreless for a stretch of 9:39 and without a field goal for 11:10. Meanwhile, Syracuse shot 42 percent in the opening frame (15-of-36). Junior Brandon Triche was 3-for-3 from three-point range and led all scorers at the break with 13 points.

Marquette quickly cut into Syracuse's lead, opening the second half on a 15-5 run, and trailed 42-34 with 14:33 remaining. The Orange increased its lead back to double digits with Triche's fourth three of the game, but Marquette continued to chip away at SU's advantage. Darius Johnson-Odom's three-pointer with 5:15 remaining brought the Golden Eagles within two at 59-57.

After Baye Keita connected on two free throws, sophomore Dion Waiters blocked Johnson-Odom's three-point attempt and converted on the other end to extend SU's lead back to six at 63-57. The Orange increased its advantage to 68-60 and then hit three free throws in the final minute to secure the victory.

Senior Kris Joseph scored a team-high 17 points, while Triche finished with 16 points. Sophomore #C.J. Fair# had 13 points, and Waiters recorded 12 points and dished out a season-high seven assists.

SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
Villanova enters Wednesday's game with an overall record of 8-8 and a 1-3 mark in conference play. The Wildcats snapped a three-game losing streak with an 87-71 victory against DePaul on Saturday. Villanova is 7-1 on its home court this season.

Maalik Wayns leads the team and ranks seventh in the BIG EAST in scoring, averaging 17.4 points per game. He also has dished out a team-best 76 assists. Mouphtaou Yarou is averaging 7.8 rebounds per game, which leads the team and ranks seventh in the conference. Yarou and Dominic Cheek also average double figures in scoring, recording 12.8 and 11.8 points per game, respectively.

Jay Wright is in his 11th season at the helm of the Villanova program. He has guided the Wildcats to a 232-119 record, seven NCAA Tournament appearances, four Sweet 16's, two Elite Eights and one Final Four appearance. Wright is a two-time BIG EAST Coach of the Year. Previously, he served as head coach at Hofstra after serving as an assistant coach at Villanova and UNLV.

THE SERIES
Syracuse leads the all-time series with Villanova, 36-31. The teams met twice last season with each team winning on the other squad's home court. The Wildcats defeated the Orange, 83-72, on Jan. 22 before Syracuse returned the favor, defeating Villanova, 69-74, on Feb. 21. The Wildcats have won six of the last 10 meetings, dating back to the 2005-06 season.

UP NEXT…
Syracuse will face Providence for the second time in 10 days when its hosts the Friars on Saturday, Jan. 14 at 6 p.m. in the Carrier Dome. Tickets for the game are available online, by phone (1-888-DOMETIX) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B).

Syracuse University Athletics

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