The Syracuse basketball turns the page to their second game of the regular season, welcoming in Patriot League’s Colgate University for a Tuesday night matchup.
Syracuse coach Adrian Autry welcomes in Colgate coach Matt Langel for the 176th time in program history Tuesday night, a series dating back to 1901. But don’t assume this will be a simple game for the Orange — the Raiders have won two of the last three meetings, ultimately falling last year by just four points.
General Information
Teams: Syracuse (1-0) vs. Colgate (1-1)
Tipoff: 7 p.m. EST
Watch: ACC Network
Listen: WAER 89.9 FM
What to know about Colgate
The Raiders head to the JMA Wireless Dome after falling to Drexel, 73-56, in Philadelphia on Nov. 9. The reigning Patriot League champions were picked to win the league again this season in the preseason poll.
Colgate opened the season with a 95-62 win over SUNY Canton on Nov. 5, with three players reaching double-figures. Colgate’s offense is built around playing in the paint, averaging 27.5 field goals per game through its first two games. The Raiders haven’t shot well from beyond the arc to begin the year, making just 15 triples in two games.
Fifth year forward Jeff Woodward is emerging as a key asset for Colgate, reaching double-digits in both games and recording nine assists. He’s appeared in every game over the last two seasons for the Raiders, making 23 starts over the course of his junior and senior year.
Latest on Syracuse basketball
Syracuse survived an early season scare against second-year Division 1 program, Le Moyne College, to start its season. The Orange only made four three-pointers against the Dolphins in their season opener, after shooting 22 throughout the game.
Although Syracuse didn’t have its best season opener, one game won’t dictate how the Orange will perform this year. Jyare Davis and Chris Bell gave the Orange a much-needed push to beat the Dolphins on their home court since both scored at least 20 points. Davis recorded a double-double with a game-high 22 points and 12 rebounds, while J.J. Starling earned his first of the season with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
The Orange didn’t start well last time, and that should be a key to Syracuse’s game plan. The team was just 31.5% from the field and made less than 60% of its free throws in the first half. Syracuse jumped to 55% from the field and 71% from the charity line in the final 20 minutes, but it can’t have the same sluggish start it did Nov. 4.