Syracuse, Clemson carry 3-game winning streaks into league opener
The end of the calendar year marks the start of conference play for Syracuse and visiting Clemson, which square off Wednesday in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both teams.
The Orange (9-4) and Tigers (10-3) both enter their New Year's Eve matchup with three-game winning streaks, although it hasn't always been pretty for either team.
Syracuse has defeated Mercyhurst, Northeastern and Stonehill in its last three contests. Naithan George has scored 22 points in each of the last two games, while J.J. Starling added 20 in the win over Stonehill.
The Orange led by six early in the second half against the Skyhawks before pulling away for a 77-48 triumph.
"Glad we got a dub, but next game we gotta dominate to build that momentum for ACC play," George said. "We just gotta execute."
Still, Syracuse coach Adrian Autry was pleased with his backcourt of George, Starling and Nate Kingz, who combined for 55 points on 8-of-15 3-point shooting.
"When you talk about our backcourt, that's how we envision it," Autry said.
Meanwhile, Clemson has defeated Mercer, South Carolina and Cincinnati in its last three games, although none of the victories came by more than seven points. The Tigers nearly blew a 27-point lead against the Bearcats in their most recent contest, but they held on to win the Greenville Winter Invitational.
Dillon Hunter made two free throws with 3 seconds left to help Clemson survive.
"I was talking to myself," Hunter said, "telling myself, ‘I'm knocking these down and we're going to win the game.'"
The Tigers had six players score in double figures -- not an easy task when the team scored only 68 points -- with Ace Buckner and Carter Welling leading the way at 12 points apiece.
Rust could be an issue, as Clemson hasn't played since Dec. 21, while Syracuse hasn't taken the court since Dec. 22.
The Tigers have won the last four meetings between the teams, including last season's matchup, 86-72 on Jan. 22 in Clemson.