Orange Host #16/20 Tar Heels

Game Details: Saturday, February 21, Syracuse, N.Y., 1:00 p.m.
Live Stream: ABC
Live Coverage: Stats
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Syracuse (15-12, 6-8 ACC) faces its fourth ranked opponent in six outings when it hosts #16/20 North Carolina (20-6, 8-5) on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. in the JMA Wireless Dome.

Ranked Challenges
The visiting Tar Heels were at the start of the current streak of Syracuse facing four rated foes in six contests. On Feb. 2, then-ranked #14/18 North Carolina held off a furious Syracuse rally to beat the Orange in Chapel Hill, 87-77.

Syracuse played at #18/17 Virginia the next time out. Following back-to-back, home-court triumphs against California and SMU, the Orange took on #3/3 Duke in Durham, N.C., on Feb. 16. North Carolina is #16/20 in the two nationally, polls, respectively, heading into Saturday's encounter.

The Syracuse-North Carolina Series
North Carolina has a 19-7 advantage in the all-time series with Syracuse.

Three of Syracuse's victories in the rivalry have come in the JMA Wireless Dome.

Four of the Orange vs. Tar Heel pairings have come in the NCAA Tournament, including the first two meetings. North Carolina defeated Syracuse in the 1957 NCAA Tournament, 67-58. The next time the programs squared off was in the 1975 postseason. The Orange emerged with a 78-76 triumph, thanks to a 24-point showing from Jim Lee.

Jersey Retirement Ceremony
Syracuse will retire the jerseys of two of its most distinguished players in a halftime ceremony. The University will honor Rudy Hackett and Jim Lee, who were teammates on Syracuse's first NCAA Final Four team in 1975.

Syracuse Notes

The Orange come into Saturday's contest ranked second in Division I blocked-shot average (6.3). Syracuse trails only Georgia (6.5).
Senior center William Kyle III has been the catalyst in Syracuse's rim protection. He ranks fifth in total blocks (72) and blocks per game (6.7) among Division I performers.
Senior forward Nate Kingz has converted a 3-pointer in 16 straight games.
Junior guard Naithan George is 25-of-44 (.568) from the field over the last five games. He recently recorded his 500th collegiate assist.
Sophomore forward Donnie Freeman tallied 23 points and eight rebounds the last time the Orange faced the Tar Heels.

North Carolina Notes

The Tar Heels lost at NC State on Tuesday night, 82-58.
North Carolina has been without freshman forward Caleb Wilson (19.8 ppg., 9.4 rpg.) and junior center Henri Veesaar (16.4 ppg., 9.0 rpg.) the last two games, because of injuries.
Senior guard Seth Trimble (13.3 ppg.) ranks third on the club in scoring average.
The Tar Heels opened the campaign by winning 13-of-14 contests.

Syracuse Tickets
Individual tickets are available at cuse.com/feature/basketball-tickets