Orange Opens Conference Play Saturday

Syracuse at Virginia Tech
Game Details	Saturday, Jan. 3 \| Blacksburg, Va. \| 12 p.m. \| Cassell Coliseum
Game Coverage	TV: RSN/ESPN3 \| Radio: Syracuse IMG Network Video \| Audio \| Live Stats Twitter: @cuse
Syracuse Links	Notes \| News \| Roster \| Schedule
Virginia Tech Links	Notes \| News \| Roster \| Schedule

BLACKSBURG, Va. – Syracuse opens the Atlantic Coast Conference portion of its schedule on Saturday, Jan. 3 when it faces Virginia Tech. Tipoff in Blacksburg, Va. is set for noon.

The game will be televised on RSN (MSG Plus in the Syracuse area) and ESPN3. Fans not in attendance can listen to the action on the Syracuse IMG Radio Network and its flagship TK99 (99.5 FM). Live audio will be available on CuseTV on Cuse.com. Subscriptions to CuseTV are available at daily, monthly and yearly rates.

PREGAME READING
What to Watch For – Syracuse (9-4)
1. Syracuse is 1-0 in ACC openers. In its inaugural season in the league, the Orange defeated Miami, 49-44, in the Carrier Dome in SU's first-ever league game. C.J. Fair led a group of three Syracuse players who scored in double figures with 15 points.
2. The Orange had 16 assists on 25 field goals in its victory against Cornell. Syracuse ranks fourth in the ACC in assists, averaging 16.23 per game.
3. Senior Rakeem Christmas was one rebound shy of his third consecutive double-double in the Orange's victory against Cornell. He was 9-for-12 from the field on his way to a team-high 19 points. Christmas also pulled down nine rebounds. He currently ranks third in the ACC in field goal percentage (.632) and fifth in rebounding (8.8 rpg.).

What to Watch For – Virginia Tech (8-5)
1. Virginia Tech had its four-game winning streak snapped in an 82-51 loss at West Virginia on Dec. 30. The Hokies are 7-2 on their home court this season.
2. Adam Smith leads Virginia Tech in scoring, averaging 12.2 points per game, while Justin Bibbs is right behind, adding 12.0 points per contest. Joey van Zegeren leads the Hokies' efforts on the boards, pulling down 5.3 rebounds per game. He also leads the squad with 18 blocked shots. Devin Wilson directs the Virginia Tech offense. He has 54 assists this season and ranks 10th in the ACC in assist/turnover ratio (1.86).
3. Syracuse fans will see a familiar face on the Virginia Tech sideline. Former Marquette head coach Buzz Williams is in his first season at the helm of the Hokies' program. At Marquette, Williams had a record of 139-69 and led the team to five NCAA appearances, including a trip to the regional finals in the 2012-13.

THE SERIES
Syracuse leads the all-time series with Virginia Tech, 5-2. Last season, the Orange defeated the Hokies, 72-52, in Blacksburg.

UP NEXT…
Syracuse's road swing continues when it travels to Atlanta to face Georgia Tech on Wednesday, Jan. 7.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Rakeem Christmas

C.J. Fair

Syracuse University Athletics