Orange Hosts California in Mid-Week Dome Showdown
On February 11, Syracuse University will host the University of California in a Wednesday night showdown at the JMA Wireless Dome. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and fans can watch live on ESPNU.
Game Preview: Syracuse vs. California
Syracuse enters this game with a record of 13-11, including a 4-7 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The team recently faced two Top 20 opponents on the road. California, boasting a record of 17-7 and 5-6 in the ACC, aims to rebound after a tough 22-point loss to #20 Clemson.
Key Players for Syracuse
- Donnie Freeman: Leading scorer with an average of 17.7 points per game, Freeman scored 23 points against North Carolina.
- Naithan George: Showed impressive shooting accuracy, scoring 19 points against Virginia and contributing the most assists on the team.
- J.J. Starling: Crucial to the team’s performance, he scored 10 points in the first half against Virginia.
Syracuse’s defense shines with its shot-blocking ability, ranking fourth nationally with an average of 6.1 blocks per game. Senior William Kyle III leads this charge with 65 blocks, making him a contender for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year.
California’s Strengths
The Golden Bears excel at shooting from beyond the arc, connecting on 37.3% of their three-point attempts. They also hold opponents to a mere 30.6% shooting from three, which is the fifth-best in the ACC.
- Dai Dai Ames: The leading scorer for California, Ames averages 17.0 points and has scored in double digits in most games this season.
- Justin Pippen: Consistent in his scoring, Pippen averages 17.5 points over his last six games and is among the top free-throw shooters in the conference.
- John Camden: With a remarkable 42.0% shooting percentage from three-point range, Camden has been a significant offensive weapon for the Bears.
Coaching and Team History
Mark Madsen serves as California’s head coach, entering his third season. He has already surpassed his previous single-season win total, leading the team to a strong performance this campaign. Before coaching, Madsen had a successful playing career, including winning two NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Syracuse historically has had the upper hand in this series, winning four out of five encounters. In their last matchup, Syracuse emerged victorious with a score of 75-66.
Tickets for this exciting matchup are available through Filmogaz.com.
