'Cuse Hosts VT in ACC Opener

Syracuse vs. Virginia Tech
Game Details	Sunday, Dec. 31 \| Syracuse, N.Y. \| 6 p.m. \| Carrier Dome
Game Coverage	TV: ESPNU Live Video: Watch ESPN Radio: Syracuse IMG Network Live Stats Twitter: @Cuse \| @Cuse_MBB Instagram: @cusepics \| @cuse_mbb
Syracuse Links	Game Notes \| News \| Roster \| Schedule
Virginia Tech Links	Game Notes \| News \| Roster \| Schedule

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse opens up ACC play at home against Virginia Tech on Sunday, Dec. 31 at 6 p.m. in the Carrier Dome. Tickets for all Orange home games are available online at Cuse.com, by phone at 1-888-DOMETIX or in person at Gate B at the Carrier Dome.

The game will be televised on ESPNU and the Watch ESPN app. Fans can also listen to the broadcast on the Syracuse IMG Radio Network.

For Starters
- Syracuse won its non-conference regular-season finale against Eastern Michigan, 62-47, on Wednesday. The Orange enter Sunday's matchup with an 11-2 record and a 9-1 mark at home.

- Sophomore Tyus Battle led the Orange with 22 points and six rebounds in the win. Junior Paschal Chukwu had one of his best games in a Syracuse uniform, posting career-highs of 15 points and 12 boards along with five blocks. Freshman Oshae Brissett posted his seventh double-double on the year with 11 points and 12 rebounds and junior Frank Howard finished with 11 points, seven assists and four steals.

- Sunday's game is the 12^th all-time meeting between Syracuse and Virginia Tech. The Orange own an 8-3 all-time record and a have won five of six against the Hokies since joining the ACC. Virginia Tech won an 83-73 decision in last year's matchup.

Scouting the Hokies
- Virginia Tech has won nine of its last 10 games and sits at 8-3 on the season. After coming up short at Kentucky on Dec. 16, the Hokies defeated Presbyterian and North Carolina A&T in their last two contests.

- Five different players on Virginia Tech average at least 10 points per game. Ahmed Hill leads the way with 16.3 points per game and is shooting 52.6 percent (41-of-78) from 3-point range. Justin Bibbs (15.0 ppg.), Kerry Blackshear Jr. (12.8 ppg.), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (12.2 ppg.) and Justin Robinson (10.5 ppg.) round out the double-digit scorers. Robinson leads the Hokies with 74 assists and Chris Clarke averages a team-high 7.1 rebounds per game.

- Buzz Williams is in his fourth year as head coach of Virginia Tech. Under Williams, the Hokies produced their most successful season in the last decade. Tech finished the 2016-17 season 22-11 overall and earned their first NCAA Tournament bid since 2007. The Hokies claimed three top 25 victories against ACC foes.

On the Orange Horizon
Syracuse plays its first game of 2018 at Wake Forest on Wednesday, Jan. 3. Tip-off at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

Tyus Battle

Oshae Brissett

Paschal Chukwu

Frank Howard

Syracuse University Athletics