Orange, Wolfpack Meet in ACC Tournament Opener

Game Details: Wednesday, March 10, Greensboro, N.C. | 12 p.m.
Television: ACC Network| ACCNX
Live Coverage: Stats
Twitter: @cuse | @Cuse_MBB
Syracuse Links: Notes | News | Roster | Schedule
NC State Links: Notes | News | Roster | Schedule

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Syracuse begins postseason play on Wednesday, March 10 when it faces NC State in the second round of the ACC Tournament. Tip off from Greensboro Coliseum is set for 12 p.m.

The game will be televised on ACC Network and ACC Network Extra. 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
The 'Cuse closed the regular season on a high note after defeating North Carolina and Clemson in the Carrier Dome last week. Buddy Boeheim gave the Orange 26 points and buried six 3-pointers in the 72-70 victory against the Tar Heels, while Alan Griffin tallied a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double en route to a 64-54 triumph versus the Tigers.

Griffin looks to carry his success from the Dome finale into Wednesday's meeting with the Wolfpack, a team that he excelled against this season. In two contests against NC State, Griffin has averaged 20.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.5 steals. The Ossining, N.Y. native finished the campaign ranked top-10 in points (15.3), blocks (1.78), and 3-pointers made (2.3) per game in the ACC.

BUDDY BUCKETS
Junior guard Buddy Boeheim closed the regular season on a tear. He averaged 19.1 points per game in his past seven games, five of which were won by Syracuse. Additionally, the Orange are 11-4 when Boeheim has scored in double figures.

The Fayetteville, N.Y. product finished among the conference's best in a number of categories this year. He ranked first in 3-pointers per game (2.6), second in 3-point field-goal percentage (.349), and sixth in points per game (15.9) while averaging the fourth-most minutes played (36:04) per contest.

SCOUTING THE WOLFPACK
NC State put together a scorching stretch to close out conference play. The Wolfpack have won each of their past five contests, including a 68-61 victory at ACC regular-season champion Virginia on February 24. The stretch improved the team's record to 13-9 overall and 9-8 against conference opponents.

Jericole Hellems and DJ Funderburk have each averaged double-digit scoring averages this season. Hellems posts 13.5 points per contest while Funderburk adds 12.1 points per game. Manny Bates leads NC State on the boards with 5.7 rebounds per game. Bates also leads the ACC and ranks sixth in the nation in block average (2.95).

Kevin Keatts is in his fourth year at the helm of the NC State program. He has guided the Wolfpack to 20 or more wins in each of his first three seasons. Previously, Keatts served as the head coach at UNC-Wilmington.

THE SERIES
The Orange own a 9-6 advantage in the all-time series against the Wolfpack. The sides have met twice this season, with Syracuse prevailing in both contests. On January 31, the Orange rallied from a nine-point halftime deficit to win, 76-73, in the Dome. Nine days later on February 9, the 'Cuse clinched a 77-68 triumph behind 22 points from Alan Griffin.

UP NEXT
The winner between Syracuse and NC State takes on No. 1 seed Virginia in the quarterfinals on Thursday, March 11 at noon.

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.

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Players Mentioned

Buddy Boeheim

Alan Griffin

Syracuse University Athletics