Syracuse basketball is knee-deep in its ACC return games, this time hosting Boston College for a midday matchup.
The Orange (10-13, 4-8 ACC) take on the Eagles (10-12, 2-9 ACC) in their quest to return to .500. Syracuse has lost four of its last five games, including a 29-point loss to No. 2 Duke on Wednesday.
Syracuse beat Boston College in the first game earlier this season, 79-71, in Boston to start the second half of the season. The Orange put together a 33-17 run in the second half to complete an 8-point comeback with less than nine minutes to play.
In addition to the ACC rematch, Syracuse will also honor its 1974-75 squad for the 50th anniversary of the program’s first-ever appearance in the NCAA Final Four.
Game information
Teams: Syracuse (10-13, 4-8) vs. Boston College (10-12, 2-9)
Tip-Off: 3:15 p.m. EST
Watch: The CW
Listen: WAER 88.3 FM
Latest on Boston College basketball:
The Eagles have been crawling through conference play, mustering up two ACC wins in their last 11 attempts. Most recently, Boston College has dropped seven of its last eight games, including an 84-58 loss to Louisville on Wednesday night. The Eagles are 16th in the ACC, one place behind Syracuse.
Boston College also hasn’t picked up a true road win this season, currently at 0-5.
Donald Hand Jr. remains the Eagles’ top scorer, averaging 15.7 points per game. He scored 20 against the Orange in their last meeting and was one of three players to hit double figures.
Syracuse kept Hand Jr. away from the three-point line for most of the game last go-around, despite the Eagles’ scorer leading the team in made triples. He’s recorded 48 three-pointers this season and also leads Boston College in rebounds with 6.6 per game.
Latest on Syracuse basketball:
Following its biggest loss of the season, the Orange are in need of another ACC win to stay in the .500 fight. Syracuse remains on the edge of making the conference tournament this March, however, its recent skid has made it a difficult road.
JJ Starling and Jyare Davis led the Orange with 12 points each against the Blue Devils on Wednesday, with Eddie Lampkin scooping up a team-high seven boards. Syracuse implemented its 2-3 zone system against Duke with little success, however, the setup worked against California a week ago, so it’s possible Syracuse head coach Adrian Autry keeps it around.
A season sweep over the Eagles would be the right step toward the .500 marker, even if that goal is subpar for most expectations. There are eight games left in Syracuse’s regular season, and making sure the Orange secure themselves a ticket to Charlotte — even at the last second — will help.