Syracuse @ Clemson preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 9, 2019 ) Syracuse 55, Clemson 67

Syracuse has been one of the surprises in the early portion of the ACC season. The Orange aim to improve to 5-0 on the road in league play Tuesday when they square off against Clemson.

Thus far, the Orange have gone on the road and defeated Georgia Tech, defending national champion Virginia, Virginia Tech and most recently Notre Dame. Syracuse followed up the win over the Fighting Irish by slipping past Pittsburgh at the Carrier Dome, 69-61, giving them five wins in a row overall. Clemson, meanwhile, posted a statement victory over Duke but since has lost two of its last three with only a three-point home win over Wake Forest keeping the team from a three-game slide. The Tigers trailed by 21 at halftime against Louisville in their last game and ended up losing 80-62 in an ugly overall performance.

TIME: 7 p.m. ET. TV: RSN

ABOUT SYRACUSE (13-7, 6-3 ACC): Marek Dolezaj had 17 points and seven rebounds against Pitt and continues to do a little bit of everything for the Orange with solid all-around averages of 10.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.0 block per game. "He's really a key player for us to be successful," said Orange coach Jim Boeheim. "It's good to have a versatile guy there. He's really a versatile player, plays center, plays forward, handles the ball, takes it out. He's a a huge key to what we do." Buddy Boeheim had 21 points against the Panthers, helping to make up for quiet games from Elijah Hughes and Joe Girard III, who combined to shoot 6-of-21 for 17 points.

ABOUT CLEMSON (10-9, 4-5): With 11 points, Clyde Trapp was the only Tiger to score in double figures against Louisville, as the five starters for Clemson combined to shoot 11-of-41 from the field. Aamir Simms (13.8 points) has just 11 points on 3-of-13 shooting in the last two games, but he still leads the team in scoring, rebounding, blocks and nearly leads in steals and assists. Tevin Mack (11.6 points) also has been quiet of late, as he has shot 1-of-17 from 3-point range in the last three games and is averaging 8.3 points during that stretch.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. In eight of his last 12 games, Buddy Boeheim has made at least four 3-pointers.

2. After this one, Clemson plays four of its next six games on the road.

3. Syracuse won by eight at home last season before Clemson took the rematch on its home court, 67-55.

PREDICTION: Clemson 67, Syracuse 63