CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (Interstat) — A surging Virginia team riding a five-game winning streak will host a struggling Syracuse squad seeking to right its season when the Atlantic Coast Conference foes meet Saturday at John Paul Jones Arena.

The No. 6-ranked Cavaliers (19-3, 9-2 ACC) have established themselves as a national contender, boasting one of the stingiest defenses in the country. They are coming off a dominant 67-47 home victory over Pittsburgh on Tuesday. Virginia’s backcourt, led by sophomore Chance Mallory, has provided consistent scoring and playmaking. Mallory is averaging 12.1 points and 3.4 assists over his last seven games, including a 17-point effort in a double-overtime win at Notre Dame.

Conversely, the Orange (12-10, 5-6) have lost five of their last seven games, including an 87-77 defeat at North Carolina on Monday. Syracuse’s hopes largely rest on the offensive production of forward Donnie Freeman. The sophomore is averaging 20.1 points in conference play and is coming off a 23-point performance against the Tar Heels. He scored 25 points in the first meeting with Virginia last season, an 84-62 Cavaliers win in Charlottesville.

Virginia’s pack-line defense, which allows a nation-low 54.8 points per game, will aim to contain Freeman and force others to score. Syracuse has shown offensive firepower, averaging 78.2 points, but has struggled defensively, conceding 77.9 per game in ACC play.

The Cavaliers have not lost at home this season, holding a perfect 13-0 record at JPJ. Syracuse is 2-5 in true road games. A Virginia win would solidify its hold on a top-two conference standing, while the Orange are in urgent need of a quadrant-one victory to bolster their fading postseason resume.

Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST. The game will be broadcast on the ACC Network.