Syracuse Set To Host Miami

Game Details: Saturday, Jan. 20, Syracuse, N.Y. 12 p.m.
TV: ESPN2
Radio: Listen Live
Live Coverage: Stats
Twitter: @Cuse_MBB | @Cuse
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Syracuse Links: Notes | News | Roster | Schedule
Miami Links: Notes | News | Roster | Schedule

Syracuse (12-5, 3-3 ACC) is back home to square off with Miami (12-5, 3-3) in the JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday, January 20 at noon.

SETTING THE STAGE
The Orange are off to their best campaign start since Syracuse began the 2018-19 season with a 12-5 mark.

The Hurricanes have lost three of their last four games, most recently losing to Florida State, 84-75. Miami's win during the span came at Virginia Tech, 75-71.

THE SYRACUSE-MIAMI SERIES
Syracuse and Miami are set for their 33^rd meeting on the hardwood. The Orange lead the all-time series, 20-12. The Hurricanes have taken the last three outings, most recently edging the Orange, 82-78, on Jan. 16, 2023. Syracuse last took down Miami on Jan. 19, 2021, 83-57.

LAST TIME OUT
Syracuse earned a sweep of the home-and-home series against Pitt with a 69-58 win in the Peterson Events Center. The Orange had their best 3-point shooting performance of the season, connecting on 10-of-17 (.588) from long range. Sophomore guards J.J. Starling (17 points) and Judah Mintz (14 points) led the Orange offense. Sophomore forward Chris Bell also scored in double-digits with 10 points, including two 3-pointers.

ORANGE LEADERS
Mintz sits at third place in the ACC in scoring average (18.4 ppg.). He also ranks in the top 10 of Division I in free throws (9th) and free throw attempts (10th). Mintz and sophomore center Maliq Brown are tied at second place in the conference in steals per game (2.18). Brown is Syracuse's top rebounder (5.9 rpg.).

Sophomores J.J. Starling (11.2 ppg.), a guard, and forward Chris Bell (11.0) are Orange performers with double-figure scoring averages this season. In conference play, Brown (13.0 ppg.) and sophomore swingman Quadir Copeland (11.2) both average double-digit scoring.

Syracuse ranks second in the ACC in forced turnovers (15.1), steals (9.3) and blocks (5.0) per game.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Miami's top scorer, junior forward Norchad Omier, is the eighth highest scorer in the ACC with 17.2 points per game. Omier also leads the squad with 9.3 rebounds per game. Junior guards Wooga Poplar (15.9 ppg.) and Matthew Cleveland (15.5) rank in the top 20 for scoring average in the ACC. Junior guard Nijel Peck (14.0 ppg.) is the other performer for the Hurricanes averaging double-figure scoring.

SYRACUSE FANS CAN VOTE MINTZ FOR COUSY AWARD
Mintz is one of 20 watch-list candidates for the 2024 Bob Cousy Award, which is annually presented to the top point guard in Division I men's basketball. Orange followers are encouraged to participate in three rounds of Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, on hoophallawards.com.

Mintz is also on the watch list for the Naismith Trophy. The list is comprised of 50 student-athletes and will be narrowed throughout the year. The winner of the award will be announced later in the season.

TICKETS
Syracuse men's basketball tickets are available online (cuse.com/tickets), by phone (1-888-DOMETIX), and at the Dome Box Office (Gate B).

For complete coverage of Syracuse men's basketball, follow the team on Twitter (@Cuse_MBB) and Instagram (@cuse_mbb).

Next Event

Players Mentioned

J.J. Starling

Syracuse University Athletics