Orange Faces Pitt in ACC Opener

Syracuse at Pittsburgh
Game Details	Wednesday, Dec. 30 \| Pittsburgh, Pa. \|9 p.m. Petersen Center
Game Coverage	TV: ESPN2 \| ESPN3 Radio: Syracuse IMG Network \| Audio \| Stats Twitter: @Cuse \| @Cuse_MBB Instagram: @cusepics \| @cuse_mbb
Syracuse Links	Notes \| News \| Roster \| Schedule
Pittsburgh Links	Notes \| News \| Roster \| Schedule

PITTSBURGH -- Syracuse renews its rivalry with No. --/25 Pittsburgh on Wednesday, Dec. 30 in the ACC opener for both teams. Tip off in the Petersen Center is scheduled for 9:05 p.m.

The game will be broadcast on ESPN2 and ESPN3. Fans can listen to the live broadcast of the game on the Syracuse IMG Radio Network and its flagship station, TK99 in Syracuse. Live audio will also be available on Cuse TV on Cuse.com. Subscriptions to Cuse TV are available at daily, monthly and yearly rates.

TOP FIVE STORYLINES
ORANGE IN ACC OPENERS
Syracuse is 2-0 in ACC openers since joining the league in 2013-14. That year, the Orange beat Miami in the Carrier Dome in its first-ever ACC contest. Last year, Syracuse opened conference play with a 68-66 win at Virginia Tech.

WINNING STREAK EXTENDED
The Orange enters Wednesday's game on a three-game winning streak after an 80-67 victory against Texas Southern on Sunday afternoon, improving Syracuse's record to 10-3. Grad student Michael Gbinije led a group of five players in double figures in scoring with 15 points. Grad student Trevor Cooney and senior DaJuan Coleman each had 14 points, while freshmen Tyler Lydon had 13 points and Malachi Richardson added 10 points.

SCOUTING THE PANTHERS
Pittsburgh is 10-1 this season and ranked No. 25 in the latest USA Today Coaches poll. Michael Young leads the Panthers' offense, averaging 17.4 points per game. Jamel Artis and James Robinson also average double figures in scoring, adding 15.5 and 10.6 points per contest, respectively. Young also leads the team in rebounding, pulling down 7.6 per game, and has made a team-high 67 three-pointers this season.

DEFENSIVE BATTLE
Wednesday's game will feature two of the top defensive teams in the ACC. Pittsburgh ranks fourth in the league in scoring defense, allowing 63.3 points per game. Syracuse is right behind as the Orange is giving up 64.2 points per game. Both squads also defend well against the three-point shot. The Panthers' opponents have converted just 29.2 percent of their three-point attempts, which leads the league. Syracuse ranks third in the ACC as its opponents have shot 31.8 from three-point range.

THE SERIES
Syracuse leads the all-time series with Pittsburgh, 65-41.The Panthers swept last year's two meetings with the Orange, snapping Syracuse's three-game winning streak in the series. Pittsburgh has won seven of the nine games played at the Peterson Center.

UP NEXT…
The Orange goes back on the road to take on Miami on Saturday, Jan. 2 at 2:30 p.m.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

DaJuan Coleman

Trevor Cooney

Michael Gbinije

Tyler Lydon

Malachi Richardson

Syracuse University Athletics