The Sports Network
DATE & TIME: Thursday, March 2nd, 9:00 p.m. (et).
FACTS & STATS: Site: Allstate Arena (17,500) -- Rosemont, Illinois. Television: ESPN. Home Record: Syracuse 14-4, DePaul 6-7. Away Record: Syracuse 3-4, DePaul 4-7. Neutral Record: Syracuse 2-1, DePaul 1-0. Conference Record: Syracuse 7-7, DePaul 4-10. Series Record: Tied, 3-3.
GAME NOTES: The Syracuse Orange try to climb over the .500 mark in Big East play tonight, when they invade Allstate Arena to do battle with the DePaul Blue Demons. The Orange enter the tilt on a down note, as they suffered a 68-53 setback at nationally-ranked Georgetown on Saturday. The loss brought the team's two-game winning streak to a halt and in the process dropped it to 19-9 overall and 3-4 on the road. Syracuse, now at an even 7-7 in league play, will conclude its regular season by hosting nationally-ranked Villanova on Sunday. As for DePaul, it kept its slim hopes alive for making the Big East Tournament with a 67-64 triumph over Seton Hall on Saturday. It was the second win in three outings by the Demons, who improved to 11-14 overall and 6-7 at home. With a 4-10 record now in league play, DePaul is one-game back of three other teams for the final spot in the upcoming 12-team Big East Tournament. The all-time series between DePaul and Syracuse is knotted at 3-3, but tonight's game will mark the first time the two schools have met as members of the Big East.
Syracuse was outscored at the foul line, 19-5, and dominated on the boards, 39-29, as it suffered a 15-point setback at Georgetown this past weekend. The Orange also struggled from long range (6-of-21) and even committed 11 turnovers which resulted in 17 points for Georgetown. Eric Devendorf paced the team in defeat with 13 points and five assists, while Darryl Watkins had 12 points and eight rebounds. Gerry McNamara, however, was held under double figures for the second straight game, as he finished with just eight points on 3-of-10 shooting from the field. Despite his recent struggles, McNamara still leads the team in scoring (15.8 ppg), assists (5.6 apg) and steals (57) this season, although he is making good on just 34.5 percent of his field goal attempts. Demetris Nichols ranks second on the club in scoring at 14.2 ppg and is also collecting 5.9 rpg, while Devendorf chips in with 12.0 ppg. Terrence Roberts adds 10.5 ppg and a club-best 7.8 rpg for Syracuse, which is averaging 73.0 ppg and 39.2 rpg as a team this season.
DePaul has struggled at the offensive end of the court this season and enters the game averaging a mere 63.4 ppg behind a modest 43.1 percent shooting from the field. Sammy Mejia currently leads the team in scoring with 14.4 ppg and is also grabbing 4.1 rpg and dishing out 2.3 apg. Draelon Burns follows with 11.5 ppg, while Wilson Chandler adds 11.0 ppg and a team-high 7.4 rpg. In the squad's previous outing, Chandler posted his third straight 20-plus scoring effort with 26 points in a three-point win over Seton Hall. Chandler also completed a double-double with 11 rebounds in the victory. The Demons shot a solid 49.0 percent from the field in the game and converted 14-of-20 free- throw attempts.
This is a big game for both teams, as each has a lot on the line in terms of postseason potential. Syracuse can ill-afford a loss if it wants to remain in contention for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, while a loss by DePaul would all but end its hopes of making the Big East Tournament. It should be a close game, but expect McNamara to break out of his slump and lead the Orange to victory.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Syracuse 69, DePaul 63
Does anyone know what seed Syracuse will be in the Big East Tournament?
Will a win benefit them or not. Like a bye or an easier opp.
I'm thinking that Cuse wins this game. Just wondering if this game is worth $$$$$ on the ML
Anyone?
DATE & TIME: Thursday, March 2nd, 9:00 p.m. (et).
FACTS & STATS: Site: Allstate Arena (17,500) -- Rosemont, Illinois. Television: ESPN. Home Record: Syracuse 14-4, DePaul 6-7. Away Record: Syracuse 3-4, DePaul 4-7. Neutral Record: Syracuse 2-1, DePaul 1-0. Conference Record: Syracuse 7-7, DePaul 4-10. Series Record: Tied, 3-3.
GAME NOTES: The Syracuse Orange try to climb over the .500 mark in Big East play tonight, when they invade Allstate Arena to do battle with the DePaul Blue Demons. The Orange enter the tilt on a down note, as they suffered a 68-53 setback at nationally-ranked Georgetown on Saturday. The loss brought the team's two-game winning streak to a halt and in the process dropped it to 19-9 overall and 3-4 on the road. Syracuse, now at an even 7-7 in league play, will conclude its regular season by hosting nationally-ranked Villanova on Sunday. As for DePaul, it kept its slim hopes alive for making the Big East Tournament with a 67-64 triumph over Seton Hall on Saturday. It was the second win in three outings by the Demons, who improved to 11-14 overall and 6-7 at home. With a 4-10 record now in league play, DePaul is one-game back of three other teams for the final spot in the upcoming 12-team Big East Tournament. The all-time series between DePaul and Syracuse is knotted at 3-3, but tonight's game will mark the first time the two schools have met as members of the Big East.
Syracuse was outscored at the foul line, 19-5, and dominated on the boards, 39-29, as it suffered a 15-point setback at Georgetown this past weekend. The Orange also struggled from long range (6-of-21) and even committed 11 turnovers which resulted in 17 points for Georgetown. Eric Devendorf paced the team in defeat with 13 points and five assists, while Darryl Watkins had 12 points and eight rebounds. Gerry McNamara, however, was held under double figures for the second straight game, as he finished with just eight points on 3-of-10 shooting from the field. Despite his recent struggles, McNamara still leads the team in scoring (15.8 ppg), assists (5.6 apg) and steals (57) this season, although he is making good on just 34.5 percent of his field goal attempts. Demetris Nichols ranks second on the club in scoring at 14.2 ppg and is also collecting 5.9 rpg, while Devendorf chips in with 12.0 ppg. Terrence Roberts adds 10.5 ppg and a club-best 7.8 rpg for Syracuse, which is averaging 73.0 ppg and 39.2 rpg as a team this season.
DePaul has struggled at the offensive end of the court this season and enters the game averaging a mere 63.4 ppg behind a modest 43.1 percent shooting from the field. Sammy Mejia currently leads the team in scoring with 14.4 ppg and is also grabbing 4.1 rpg and dishing out 2.3 apg. Draelon Burns follows with 11.5 ppg, while Wilson Chandler adds 11.0 ppg and a team-high 7.4 rpg. In the squad's previous outing, Chandler posted his third straight 20-plus scoring effort with 26 points in a three-point win over Seton Hall. Chandler also completed a double-double with 11 rebounds in the victory. The Demons shot a solid 49.0 percent from the field in the game and converted 14-of-20 free- throw attempts.
This is a big game for both teams, as each has a lot on the line in terms of postseason potential. Syracuse can ill-afford a loss if it wants to remain in contention for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, while a loss by DePaul would all but end its hopes of making the Big East Tournament. It should be a close game, but expect McNamara to break out of his slump and lead the Orange to victory.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Syracuse 69, DePaul 63
Does anyone know what seed Syracuse will be in the Big East Tournament?
Will a win benefit them or not. Like a bye or an easier opp.
I'm thinking that Cuse wins this game. Just wondering if this game is worth $$$$$ on the ML
Anyone?
