Boston College @ Syracuse preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 9, 2019 ) Boston College 56, Syracuse 67

Aside from their matchups with Virginia, ACC foes Boston College and Syracuse have not had much to smile about lately. The Eagles visit the Orange on Wednesday in league action with both looking to build on recent victories over the defending national champions.

BC has suffered some dreadful losses of late, falling to Duke by 39 points and getting blasted at home by Georgia Tech 71-52 in its last contest. In between, the Eagles posted a seven-point triumph over Virginia, which then went out and lost at home to Syracuse on Saturday, as the Orange posted a 63-55 overtime victory. Syracuse had lost its previous two games by a combined five points to Notre Dame and Virginia Tech before somehow scoring 20 points in overtime after entering the extra session tied with the Cavaliers at 43-43. "It was just a tremendous, gritty effort," said Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, whose team now will try to defeat BC after topping the Eagles twice a season ago.

TIME: 6:30 p.m. ET. TV: ACC Network

ABOUT BOSTON COLLEGE (9-7, 3-2 ACC): Derryck Thornton (13.3 points) is the leading scorer for the Eagles, although he shoots just 39 percent from the field and 25 percent from 3-point land while committing 3.5 turnovers per contest. Over his last four games, he has shot 12-of-44 from the floor and 3-of-17 from long range while accumulating more turnovers (10) than assists (seven), although he has been out lately with an ankle injury and may not be available Wednesday. His absence would put more pressure on Jay Heath (12.1 points), who was 2-of-10 against Georgia Tech after nearly matching his season high the previous game with 17 points against Virginia.

ABOUT SYRACUSE (9-7, 2-3): Freshman guard Joe Girard III knocked down 5-of-11 3-pointers en route to 19 points against Virginia, while Elijah Hughes chipped in 18 points on 4-of-9 3-point shooting. Marek Dolezaj, Syracuse's glue guy in the front court, had a solid all-around game with seven points, 11 rebounds, five assists, two blocks and two steals. The reserves for the Orange, on the other hand, played a combined 29 minutes and produced one point and four fouls.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Syracuse's top three scorers - Hughes, Buddy Boeheim and Girard - have combined for 146 of the team's 156 made 3-pointers.

2. After totaling 22 points on 8-of-10 shooting against Notre Dame and Virginia Tech, Syracuse freshman F Quincy Guerrier was held scoreless in 19 minutes against Virginia.

3. Eagles F Steffon Mitchell has nice all-around averages of 7.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.2 blocks.

PREDICTION: Boston College 67, Syracuse 64