Syracuse @ Boston College preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 28, 2018 ) Syracuse 70, Boston College 85

Boston College is starting to show signs of life after a slow start to ACC play. The Eagles aim for a third straight victory Wednesday, when they host a Syracuse team looking to bounce back from a lopsided defeat.

BC suffered a one-point loss to Hartford earlier this month before dropping four straight to open its conference schedule, although a big win over Florida State and a victory over Wake Forest have shown that the team is focused on improving. Ky Bowman made a key 3-pointer with 16 seconds left in the 65-61 win over Wake Forest and now will attempt to solve Syracuse's 2-3 zone. Virginia Tech had no problems mastering Jim Boeheim's defense, as the Hokies shot better than 52 percent (14-for-30 from 3-point range) in a 78-56 rout of Syracuse on Saturday. The Orange, who had won seven of their previous eight, will be playing the middle contest of a three-game road trip that concludes Saturday at Pittsburgh.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ACC Network, RAYCOM

ABOUT SYRACUSE (14-6, 5-2 ACC): Elijah Hughes, who has been perhaps Syracuse's most consistent player this season, is coming off a six-point effort on 2-of-13 shooting on Saturday. Tyus Battle also was cold against the Hokies, scoring just 10 points for the second straight game while recording only two rebounds and two assists in 36 minutes. Oshae Brissett led the team with 16 points versus Virginia Tech, while Frank Howard added 13 and is averaging 10.9 over his last seven games after averaging 5.8 in his first nine contests.

ABOUT BOSTON COLLEGE (11-7, 2-4): Nik Popovic, Jordan Chatman and Bowman combined for 53 of the team's 62 points against Wake Forest, with the former, who also grabbed 11 rebounds for his sixth double-double of the season, leading the way with 21. Chatman recorded 18 points but has been very hit-or-miss this campaign, scoring either fewer than 10 or more than 16 in every game he's played. Bowman logged all 40 minutes for the fourth straight game and was turnover-free for the first time since late November.

TIP-INS

1. Syracuse won by 18 points at home in the first matchup last season before losing by 15 at BC.

2. Of Syracuse's top seven players, only one (Hughes - 36.7 percent) shoots above 33.3 percent from long distance.

3. Chatman is 16-for-25 from 3-point range over his last three games.

PREDICTION: Syracuse 62, Boston College 59