Preview: Miami Visits Syracuse in ACC Clash

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (Interstat) — The Miami Hurricanes look to rebound from a tough loss when they visit the Syracuse Orange in an Atlantic Coast Conference men’s basketball matchup Saturday at the Carrier Dome.

Miami (15-4, 4-3 ACC) enters having dropped two straight, including a 65-63 home defeat to Florida State on Tuesday. The Hurricanes had won five consecutive games prior to the skid. Syracuse (11-7, 3-4) has also lost two in a row, most recently a 76-74 home loss to Virginia Tech on Wednesday.

The game features two of the conference’s top offensive talents. Miami will lean on guard Shelton Henderson, who is averaging 17.2 points over his last five games. He scored 22 in a loss at Clemson and 18 in the defeat to Florida State.

For Syracuse, forward Nate Kingz provides a scoring spark. He erupted for 27 points in a road loss to Boston College last weekend but was held to 11 points against Virginia Tech. Consistency from Kingz will be key for an Orange team seeking to stabilize its conference standing.

The Hurricanes boast a potent offense, averaging 81.2 points per game, but have been held under 70 in their two recent losses. Syracuse averages 76.9 points but has struggled defensively in ACC play, allowing an average of 78.3 points in its seven league games.

This is the only scheduled meeting between the teams this season. Miami’s upcoming schedule includes a two-game homestand against Stanford and California next week. Syracuse hits the road for its next contest, facing North Carolina State on Tuesday.

Saturday’s tipoff is set for 8 p.m. EST at the Carrier Dome.