:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60576701/usa-today-8361734.0.0.0.jpg)
The Syracuse Orange (18-11, 9-7) face its third straight top-10 opponent when it hosts the No. 2 Virginia Cavaliers (27-1, 15-1) on Senior Night at the Carrier Dome. It's the last time Rakeem Christmas will play in front of SU fans and they're probably going to let him know what they think about him.
Christmas caps his career with a senior campaign that has him a finalist for the Oscar Robertson Trophy, the Naismith Trophy, and the Kareem Abdul Jabbar Award. He'll be making 139th start in his 141st game.
Don't forget about Carter Sanderson, who transferred to Syracuse after three seasons at Lipscomb, who will also be honored.
As for the game itself, things don't look quite as fun as the festivities beforehand. Virginia comes into the game ranked first in Division I in scoring defense (50.0) and second in field goal percentage defense (.352). A victory against Syracuse would clinch the ACC regular-season crown and keep them in prime position for a 1-seed in the NCAAs.
Syracuse has a 3-2 lead in the series with Virginia. The Cavs won last year’s game in Virginia, 75-56. Check out our predictions of the game right over here.
Leave your pre-, in- and post-game comments below. G'ORANGE!