Orange Makes ACC Debut Saturday

Syracuse vs. Miami
Game Details	Tuesday, Jan. 4 \| Syracuse, N.Y. \| 2:00 p.m. \| Carrier Dome
Game Coverage	TV: ACC Network/ESPN3 \| Radio: TK99 (99.5 FM), Syracuse IMG Radion Network Audio \| Live Stats Twitter: @cuse
Syracuse Links	Notes \| News \| Roster \| Schedule
Miami Links	Notes \| News \| Roster \| Schedule

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A new era begins for Syracuse basketball when the No. 2/2 Orange plays its first-ever ACC Conference game on Saturday, Jan. 4. SU opens league play against Miami at 2 p.m. in the Carrier Dome. The Orange finished non-conference play undefeated, winning all 13 contests. The Hurricanes have one ACC game under their belts, an overtime loss, and enter Saturday's game with an 8-5 overall mark.

Tickets for Saturday's game are available online, by phone (1-888-DOMETIX) or in person at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B).The game will be televised on the ACC Network (click here for a list of stations) and ESPN3. Fans can listen to the action on the Syracuse IMG Radio Network and its flagship TK99 (99.5 FM). Live audio will be available on Orange All Access on SUathletics.com. Subscriptions to Orange All Access are available at daily, monthly and yearly rates.

PREGAME READING
What to Watch For – Syracuse
1. Syracuse is one of only seven undefeated teams in Division I. The other six are Arizona, Iowa State, Ohio State, Oregon, Wichita State and Wisconsin.
2. Sophomore Jerami Grant was impressive in his first start of the season. He recorded nine of Syracuse's first 11 points and finished with 15. He also grabbed eight rebounds. Both totals tied for the team lead. Grant ranks third on the team in scoring (12.9 ppg.) and leads the squad in rebounding (5.9 rpg.).
3. Junior Rakeem Christmas also had 15 points against Eastern Michigan, which tied his career high. He was 7-for-8 from the floor and 1-for-2 from the free throw line.

What to Watch For – Miami
1. Miami goes for its fourth consecutive victory on Saturday. Since losing to Nebraska in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge and Virginia Tech, 60-57 in OT, in their ACC opener, the Hurricanes have defeated its next three opponents by an average of 13.3 points per game.
2. Senior Rion Brown leads a balanced offensive attack for Miami. He is averaging 13.8 points per game. Graduate student Garrius Adams also averages double figures in scoring, adding 10.7 per contest. Syracuse will face one of the top shot blockers in the conference in Donnavan Kirk. He ranks second in the league, averaging 2.15 blocks per game.
3. Jim Larranaga is in his third year at the helm of the Miami program. He led the Hurricanes to the ACC regular-season and tournament titles and an appearance in the NCAA Sweet 16 a year ago. He was honored as the AP, Naismith, USBWA Henry Iba and ACC Coach of the Year.

THE SERIES
Syracuse and Miami will meet for the 20th time on Saturday. The Orange leads the all-time series, 14-5. The teams met at least once a year from 1992 through 2004 except one while both were members of The BIG EAST Conference.

UP NEXT…
Syracuse will play its first ACC road game on Tuesday, Jan. 7 to face Virginia Tech at 9 p.m.

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