Orange, Cavaliers Clash on Big Monday

Game Details: Monday, Jan. 25, Charlottesville, Va. | 7 p.m.
Television: ESPN | Watch ESPN
Live Coverage: Stats
Twitter: @cuse | @Cuse_MBB
Syracuse Links: Notes | News | Roster | Schedule
Virginia Links: Notes | News | Roster | Schedule

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Syracuse goes for its second straight win against a ranked opponent when it visits No. 13/12 Virginia on Monday, Jan. 25. Tip off at John Paul Jones Arean is set for 7 p.m.

The game will be televised on ESPN and the Watch ESPN app as part of its Big Monday schedule. Matt Park and Jim Satalin will call all the action on the Syracuse Sports Network from Learfield IMG College, including TK99/105 locally.

ORANGE UPDATE
Syracuse improved its overall record to 9-4 and evened its ACC mark at 3-3 with a 78-60 victory over No. 16/14 Virginia Tech on Saturday afternoon. Sophomore Quincy Guerrier led a group of four players to reach double figures in scoring with 20 points. That group included freshman Kadary Richmond, who came off the bench to contribute 13 points in 15 minutes of action.

Senior Marek Dolezaj was 8-for-8 from the free throw line on his way to 18 points. Dolezaj now ranks third in the ACC in free throw percentage (.852).

'CUSE BLOCK PARTY
Junior Alan Griffin blocked a career-high seven shots in the win against the Hokies. That is the most blocks for a member of the Orange since Rakeem Christmas had seven blocks against NC State in 2014. Griffin leads the team in blocks (21) and is fifth in the ACC in blocks per game (1.62). As a team, the 'Cuse ranks second in the ACC with 5.15 blocks per game.

SCOUTING THE CAVALIERS
Virginia came back to defeat Georgia Tech on Saturday, 64-62, to remain unbeaten in ACC play this season at 6-0. The win was the Cavaliers' sixth in a row, improving their overall record to 10-2.

Sam Hauser is Virginia's leading scorer (14.5 ppg.) and rebounder (7.42 rpg.) this season. He is the Cavaliers' biggest threat from outside, along with Trey Murphy III. Hauser has 25 3-point field goals, while Murphy III leads the way with 27. Virginia lead the ACC in scoring defense (59.58 ppg.), scoring margin (+13.17), field goal percentage (.505) and free throw percentage (.804).

Tony Bennett is in his 12th year at the helm of the Virginia program. He guided the Cavaliers to the 2019 national championship and has been named the National Coach of the Year three times in his career.

THE SERIES
Monday's game marks the 15th all-time meeting between Syracuse and Virginia. The Cavaliers have won eight of the previous 14 contests. After Virginia won the first meeting between the two squads in last year's season opener in the Dome, Syracuse returned the favor, defeating the Cavaliers, 63-55, in overtime in Charlottesville on January 11. Joseph Girard III scored 19 points to lead the Orange as they snapped a four-game losing streak against UVA.

UP NEXT
Syracuse returns home to face NC State on Sunday, Jan. 31 at 6 p.m. on the ACC Network.

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.

For complete coverage of Syracuse men's basketball, follow us on Twitter (@Cuse_MBB) and Instagram (cuse_mbb) and like us on Facebook (SyracuseOrange).

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Players Mentioned

Rakeem Christmas

Marek Dolezaj

Joseph Girard III

Alan Griffin

Quincy Guerrier

Kadary Richmond

Syracuse University Athletics