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The (7-2) Cornell Big Red will face the (7-4) Syracuse Orange on Saturday in an in-state clash at JMA Wireless Dome. The Big Red, 3-2 on the road this season, lost 107-105 at Miami in their most recent game. The Orange, 5-2 at home, beat Monmouth 86-71 in their last game. The two teams met last season, an 80-68 Syracuse victory. This will be the 127th meeting between these programs, with the Orange searching for their 96th win.
Syracuse is an 8.5-point spread favorite, and the game total is 153.5 points. Tip-off is at 3:00 p.m. ET.
The Big Red boasts one of the nation's most explosive offenses, averaging 85.1 points on 49.8 percent shooting. Those marks are 11th-highest and 19th-highest in the country, respectively. Cornell is fast-paced, too, averaging 72.7 possessions per game (27th-most). All that said, Cornell's offensive efficiency rating, adjusted for schedule, is ranked just 104th, per KenPom.
Despite this, the Big Red didn't look inferior on the road at Miami in their last game, scoring 105 points on 51.9 percent shooting. Cornell trailed 66-52 at halftime but rallied with 53 second-half points, ultimately falling short by just one basket. It was its first loss since a season-opening 79-77 defeat at Boston College. Senior guard Greg Dolan led the Big Red with 19 points and six assists, while sophomore guard Nazir Williams and junior guard Chris Manon scored 18 points apiece.
Great effort all around but it didn't go our way this time. Time to focus on final exams before we head up to Syracuse on the 17th.#YellCornell #GoBigRed ???? https://t.co/wLFAb7nR6M
— Cornell Basketball (@CUBigRedHoops) December 8, 2022
Cornell lost four starters from last season's 15-win team but has benefitted from a deep roster, with eight players averaging 7.5 or more points per game. With one final opportunity to earn a statement win before Ivy League competition, the Big Red is not leaving Syracuse without a fight.