Orange Welcome Niagara Thursday

Game Details: Thursday, Dec. 3, Syracuse, N.Y. | 8 p.m.
Television: Regional Sports Network | YES Network | Affiliates
Live Coverage: Foxsportsgo.com (in market) | ESPN.com/watch (out of market) | Stats
Twitter: @cuse | @Cuse_MBB
Syracuse Links: Notes | News | Roster | Schedule
Niagara Links: Notes | News | Roster | Schedule

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Syracuse returns to Jim Boeheim Court on Thursday, Dec. 3 to host Niagara at 8 p.m. in the Carrier Dome. The Orange are 1-0 after their victory over Bryant last Friday, while Thursday's contest is the season opener for the Purple Eagles.

The game will be televised on Regional Sports Network, including the YES Network. Click here for a complete list of affiliates carrying the game. In addition, fans can watch all the action on foxsportsgo.com (in-market) and espn.com/watch (out of market). The live broadcast will also be available on the Syracuse Sports Network from Learfield IMG College, including TK99/105 locally.

ORANGE UPDATE
Junior Buddy Boeheim scored a game-high 21 points and three players recorded double-doubles to lead Syracuse to an 85-84 victory against Bryant last Friday. Senior Marek Dolezaj posted his first points-assists double-double with 20 points and a career-high 10 assists. Junior Alan Griffin recorded 17 points and 13 rebounds, while sophomore Quincy Guerrier had 15 points and 13 rebounds.

The Orange won their home opener for the 40th time in 45 tries under the direction of head coach Jim Boeheim.

IMPRESSIVE DEBUT
Junior Alan Griffin made his Syracuse debut a memorable one as he recorded a double-double against Bryant. The Ossining, N.Y. native came off the bench and posted the second double-double of his career. Two of his points came on a monstrous dunk on an assist from Joseph Girard III. Griffin joined the Orange after transferring from Illinois.

Whoa... 🤯@JG3_____ ➡️ @alangriffin_ pic.twitter.com/ky9rWoajaT
— Syracuse Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) November 29, 2020

SCOUTING THE PURPLE EAGLES
Thursday's game will be the season opener for Niagara, which finished last season with a 12-20 record. The Purple Eagles return four of their top five leading scorers from that team as well as all five of their starters.

Orange fans will see a familiar face on the Niagara sideline. Greg Paulus, who earned the 2019-20 Joe B. Hall National Coach of the Year Award, is in his second year at the helm of the Purple Eagles' program. Paulus is a Syracuse native who attended Christian Brothers Academy (CBA). Following his basketball playing career at Duke, Paulus played on the Syracuse football squad in 2009.

SERIES HISTORY
Syracuse and Niagara will meet for the 83rd time. The Orange own a 54-28 advantage in the all-time series.

The Purple Eagles visited Syracuse last season, marking the first meeting between the schools since 2000. Elijah Hughes led a group of four 'Cuse players scoring in double figures in scoring with 19 points as the Orange posted a 71-57 victory.

UP NEXT
Syracuse will play the final of its three consecutive home games to start the year on Saturday, Dec. 5 when it hosts Rider at 7 p.m.

Syracuse University Athletics remains committed to doing everything it can to support and protect the health, safety and well-being of our student-athletes, our staff and the campus and Syracuse communities. All decisions will be science-based and informed by public health and guidance as provided by county, state and public health officials.

If fans are permitted to attend games – in some capacity – Syracuse Athletics will announce plans for spectators to secure admission to the events. Fans will be required to sit in their socially-distanced seat locations and wear a face covering.