Orange Back Home for Wednesday Matchup with Virginia Tech

Game Details: Wednesday, January 21, Syracuse, NY, 9:00 p.m.
Live Stream: ACC Network
Live Coverage: Stats
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Syracuse (12-6, 3-2 ACC) returns to the JMA Wireless Dome on Wednesday evening to face Virginia Tech (14-5, 3-3 ACC).

Freeman Fuels the Orange Offense
Since starting conference play, the Orange are averaging 78.6 points per game, the sixth best mark in the ACC. Syracuse posted a season-high 94 points just a week ago in the victory over Florida State after drilling 11 3-pointers.

The offensive output coincided with the return of sophomore Donnie Freeman. Freeman has notched 18 points or more in all five games since coming back from injury, including a career-high 27-point performance on the road against Georgia Tech. The sophomore is averaging 22.2 points per game in league-play, the second most in the conference.

Freeman's return has jump started a couple of other teammates on the offensive end, including senior Nate Kingz. Kingz had his most prolific game in Orange his last time out, scoring 27 points on 5-of-6 (.875) shooting from beyond the arc against Boston College. The senior transfer from Oregon State leads the Orange from 3-point range this year, having knocked down 31 shots from deep.

Junior Naithan George has done an effective job at running the offense for Syracuse this season, compiling 101 assists. He leads the ACC in assists during league-play with 37 through five contests. After recording 11 assists against Pittsburgh and 13 against Florida State, he became the first Syracuse player to notch back-to-back double-digit assist performances since John Gillon in 2016-17.

Defensive Prowess
Syracuse's defense has been strong, holding opponents to 67.7 points per game and .403 from the field, both ranking in the top 50 nationally.

The Orange have been particularly stifling at the rim, ranking second in Division I with 7.1 blocks per game. The Orange trail Georgia (7.9 bpg.).

Senior William Kyle III has played a key role in the Orange's surge up national leaderboards, averaging 2.89 rejections per appearance. Kyle III is tied for the third most of any player in Division I and the most in the ACC. He's recorded at least one block in all but one contest.

Back at the Dome
After spending last weekend away, the Orange return to the JMA Wireless Dome where they've posted a 9-2 record thus far. Syracuse has won their home games by an average scoring margin of 13.5 points, putting up 77.0 points compared to their opponents' 63.5.

The Orange have split their two ACC home games so far, narrowly falling to Clemson in the conference opener before topping Florida State with their 94-point outburst.

Freeman has flourished in front of a home crowd, averaging 20.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. Kyle III has racked up 3.64 blocks per game at the JMA Wireless Dome.

Scouting Virginia Tech
The Hokies come to Syracuse at 14-5 on the year and 3-3 during ACC play. Virginia Tech is coming off a split week where they narrowly lost to SMU on the road, 77-76, before posting a commanding 89-76 victory over Notre Dame this past weekend. Close contests have defined the Hokies' conference slate, with their three ACC losses coming by a combined five points.

Virginia Tech brings a high-powered offense to Syracuse, averaging 82.3 points per game this season. While the Hokies don't rely heavily on the 3-ball offensively, they excel at defending it, holding opponents to just .288 shooting from deep, the lowest percentage in the ACC.

Junior Amani Hansberry has led the Hokies' offense, scoring 15.8 points per appearance and has scored in double digits in all but two games this season. He got off to a fast start to ACC-play, posting three consecutive double-doubles. In the most recent win over Notre Dame, Hansberry scored 21 points to go with six rebounds and three steals.

After missing over a month with an injury, senior Tobi Lawal had his top offensive performance of the season this past weekend when he poured in 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for a double-double in the win over Notre Dame. Lawal is in his second season with the Hokies after spending his first two seasons at VCU.

The Hokies have received significant contributions from a rookie, with freshman Neoklis Avdalas starting in all 18 games this season while scoring 13.9 points on average. Avdalas was ranked as the No. 2 international newcomer in 2025 by 247Sports.

When the Hokies are in need of a 3-pointer, they turn to Jaden Schutt, who has converted 47-of-110 (.427) shots from beyond the arc. Schutt led the Hokies in 3-pointers made last year with 57.

Mike Young is in his seventh season at the helm of the Virginia Tech program, and has compiled a record of 119-90. Young brought the Hokies to new heights in 2022, winning the program's first- ever ACC Championship as the seventh-seeded team. On top of earning the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, Young piloted the Hokies to the Big Dance in 2021 as well. He was named ACC Coach of the Year during the 2021 campaign after posting a 15-7 record in conference play.

Series History
Syracuse and Virginia Tech have met on the hardwood 21 times before, with the Orange owning a 13-8 edge in the all-time series. The Hokies won last year's matchup in overtime, 101-95. J.J. Starling chipped in 16 points in the overtime defeat.

Syracuse Tickets
Season and individual tickets are available at cuse.com/feature/basketball-tickets

Orange Back Home for Wednesday Matchup with Virginia Tech

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Players Mentioned

Donnie Freeman

Naithan George

Nate Kingz

William Kyle III

J.J. Starling

Syracuse University Athletics