Orange, Rutgers Clash in ACC/Big Ten Challenge

Game Details: Tuesday, Dec. 8, Piscataway, N.J. | 9:30 p.m.
Television: ESPN2 | ESPN Watch
Live Coverage: Stats
Twitter: @cuse | @Cuse_MBB
Syracuse Links: Notes | News | Roster | Schedule
Rutgers Links: Notes | News | Roster | Schedule

PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Syracuse goes on the road for the first time this season when it takes on No. 21/22 Rutgers in Piscataway, N.J. on Tuesday, Dec. 8. Tipoff is set for 9:30 p.m. Both teams are unbeaten this season with identical 3-0 records.

The game will be televised on ESPN2 and the ESPN Watch app. Fans can also listen to all the action on the Syracuse Sports Network from Learfield IMG College, including TK99/105 locally.

ORANGE UPDATE
Syracuse's accuracy from behind the arc helped the Orange to their third straight win to open the season – an 87-52 victory against Rider on Saturday. The 'Cuse tied the single-game school record with 15 3-pointers, including a career-high six by sophomore Joseph Girard III.

Junior Alan Griffin led the way with a season-high 23 points, while Girard III finished with 21 points. Sophomore Quincy Guerrier added 11 points.

STRONG ON THE BOARDS
Guerrier pulled down seven rebounds against Rider, leaving him three shy of his third consecutive double-double to start the season. He is averaging a double-double for the season, scoring 16.3 points and grabbing 11.0 rebounds per contest.

The Montreal, Quebec native has been one of the best rebounders in the nation through the first two weeks of the season. Guerrier ranks 11th in the nation and first in the ACC in rebounds per game.

As a team, the Orange rank 14th in the nation in total rebounds per game (46.33) and 11th in defensive rebounds per game (34.67) according to the latest NCAA Division I statistics.

Tonight's look 🔥 pic.twitter.com/AIVZY0zsb0
— Syracuse Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) December 8, 2020

SCOUTING THE SCARLET KNIGHTS
Rutgers enters Tuesday's game ranked No. 21 in the Associated Press rankings and No. 22 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. The Scarlet Knights are 3-0 this season with all three wins coming on their home court.

Ron Harper Jr. is Rutgers' leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 21.0 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. The junior is on the Watch List for the Wooden and Julius Erving Awards and was named the preseason Big Ten top defensive player by Lindy's Sports.

Steve Pikiell is in his fifth season at the helm of the Rutgers program. He earned the 2019-20 Jim Phelan Award after leading the Scarlet Knights to their first 20-win regular season in 37 years.

THE SERIES
Tuesday's game marks the 49th meeting between the two schools in a series that dates back to 1920. Syracuse has won 39 of the previous 48 games against the Scarlet Knights, including the final 13 meetings when both schools were members of The BIG EAST Conference. The Orange defeated Rutgers, 78-53, on Jan. 1, 2013 in the Carrier Dome the last time the squads met.

UP NEXT
Syracuse opens ACC play at Boston College on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 1 p.m.