Syracuse (5-5, 0-1) vs. Maryland (9-2, 1-1)
When & Where: Dec. 21, 2024 | 12:00 PM | Barclays Center
TV: ESPN | Dave O’Brien, Jay Williams
Radio: One Maryland App | 105.7 FM (Baltimore) | 980 AM (DC) | SiriusXM channel 137/195
Betting: -11.5 | O/U: 156.5 (FanDuel)
While Maryland holds the all-time series lead, 5-4, the Terps will look for their first win against the Orange since Dec. 6, 1980 as Syracuse has won each of the last four matchups. And this time, Maryland is a healthy favorite to do so in Brooklyn.
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It’s been a trying year for Syracuse and second-year head coach Adrian Autry as the Orange will look to get back over .500 on Saturday. In fact, Syracuse will look for its first win against a high major opponent this season after falling to Texas, Texas Tech, Tennessee and Notre Dame before falling by four at home to Georgetown last weekend. A big hurdle for the Orange is the absence of JJ Starling, star point guard (and one time Maryland target) who is sidelined indefinitely with a left hand injury.
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The Orange still have options on offense with three others averaging double figures, while transfer center Eddie Lampkin Jr. sits just shy entering Saturday averaging 9.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. Freshman Donnie Freeman, a one-time Maryland target out of St. John’s (DC), has stepped up for the Orange as he leads the team in rebounding (7.9) and sits second on the team in scoring while he posted a career-high 23 points in last week’s win vs. Albany. Chris Bell has finished in double figures in six of the first ten game to begin the season, though he’s totaled five or more rebounds just four times this year. Senior forward Jyare Davis, though, has teamed up with Lampkin to aid the Orange on the glass while he’s posted at least 15 points in each of the last three games. Lucas Taylor, a brief portal target for Maryland, started against both Tennessee and Notre Dame to become a piece in the rotation. Auburn transfer guard Chance Westry, meanwhile, has only played ten minutes across three games as he recovers from a knee injury.
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While the Orange tandem of Freeman, Lampkin and Davis give the Terps arguably their toughest battle in the frontcourt this season, Maryland will look to beat Syracuse from deep as the Orange enter Saturday shooting just 27.1% from three.
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As for Maryland, they enter Saturday’s neutral site matchup with its last ‘big’ test of non-conference play. After blowing by the competition in their Quad Four matchups at home, head coach Kevin Willard’s squad has shown signs of promise despite close losses to Marquette and Purdue. Maryland’s second-half comeback win vs. Villanova salvaged their efforts in the second big test of the season, but Maryland will now look to notch a Quad Three win in their first opportunity.
Maryland enters Saturday with all five starters averaging double figures, while Selton Miguel was the star in Tuesday's blowout win vs. Saint Francis after finishing just shy of a career-high with 24 points. But the Terps' offensive balance has been among the highlights through the first half of the season as Maryland is one of three Big Ten teams with all five starters averaging double figures.
As for Julian Reese, he enters Saturday:
Five blocks away from tying Damonte Dodd for eighth on Maryland's all-time scoring list
Ten points away from tying Buck Williams for 43rd on Maryland's all-time scoring list.
11 rebounds away from tying Al Bunge for 10th on Maryland's all-time scoring list.
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