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When the Syracuse Orange men’s basketball team takes on Notre Dame this Wednesday, Jim Boeheim’s team will look to accomplish something it failed to do in 2017-18 and 2018-19.
If Syracuse can take down the Irish in South Bend, it will mark the first time the Orange have won four straight conference games since the 2016-17 season when SU put together a five-game ACC win streak. That stretch included wins over Wake Forest, No. 6 Florida State, NC State, No. 9 Virginia and Clemson. Those five wins were imperative in launching Syracuse back into the NCAA Tournament discussion.
Syracuse has won three straight games against Virginia, Boston College and Virginia Tech. The Orange have won six of its last eight games. Should the winning-streak continue, Syracuse will have to beat a Notre Dame team it just lost to at home by a final score of 88-87 just a few weeks ago.
“The last time we played Syracuse it may have been the most watchable college basketball game this year with the ball going in the basket and teams playing the game the right way. Maybe we’re in for another one like that on Wednesday,” Mike Brey said on the ACC coaches teleconference on Monday.
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While John Mooney, the nation’s leader in rebounds (second in the country in double-doubles), posted 28 points and 14 rebounds in that game, expect Wednesday’s matchup to be another shootout.
Notre Dame and Syracuse both shot 15-31 from deep in the first game. Look for both teams to unleash from the perimeter on Wednesday.
“We need to make double-digit 3s for the most part to win ACC games,” Brey added. “So we’re going to take ‘em.”
Interestingly enough, SU has a perfect 3-0 road record in the league whereas Notre Dame has yet to win a home game in ACC play (0-2). Syracuse will look to keep its undefeated conference road record alive, as well as win four straight conference games for the first time in three seasons.
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