Once Upon A Time In Las Vegas – Wildcard Edition
Syracuse will try to build on its strong start to ACC play when it travels to No. 16 Miami on Monday night. The Orange have won nine of their last 11 games, including consecutive wins against Virginia Tech and Notre Dame. Miami was riding a nine-game winning streak before losing two of its last three games.
Syracuse got off to a slow start this season, losing four of its first seven games. The Orange won nine of their next 11 games, with their two losses coming against Pittsburgh and then-No. 11 Virginia. They lost those games by a combined nine points, but they are coming off wins against Virginia Tech and Notre Dame since then. Syracuse had four scorers in double figures in the win over the Fighting Irish. The Orange have a trio of double-digit scorers this season, with Joseph Girard III (16.7), Judah Mintz (15.6) and Jesse Edwards (13.3) leading the team. Edwards also entered the weekend leading the ACC in rebounds, pulling down 10.6 per game.
Off to Miami ?? pic.twitter.com/DxDef0YZE4
— Syracuse Men's Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) January 15, 2023
Mintz is part of six-player freshman class, which is the school’s largest freshman class in 30 years. The Orange also have an experienced leader in Girard, who has started 109 games in his career and is on pace for a career season in points. Syracuse has been a solid offensive team this season, ranked No. 61 in 3-point percentage (36.4) and No. 63 in turnover rate. The Orange are facing a Miami defense that is No. 127 in adjusted efficiency. Miami has way more experience in this matchup, but Syracuse has a huge height advantage.