Photo: Randy Faris / The Image Bank / Getty Images
The Syracuse men's basketball team is set to face its toughest challenge of the season tonight (November 24) as they take on the number two ranked Houston Cougars at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Both teams enter the game undefeated, with Syracuse holding a 4-0 record and Houston at 5-0. The matchup is part of the NIL-driven Players Era Festival and will be broadcast on TNT at 6 p.m. EST.
Syracuse last played on November 18, defeating Monmouth 78-73, while Houston reached the national championship game in the previous NCAA Tournament, ultimately falling to Florida. The two teams have a brief history, having last met in the Sweet 16 of the 2021 NCAA Tournament, where Houston emerged victorious with a 62-46 win. The all-time series between the two stands at 1-1.
Both teams have shown strong defensive performances this season, with Syracuse leading the nation in points allowed per game at 53.2, and Houston ranked fourth, allowing 55.5 points per game. However, Syracuse has struggled with rebounding, an area where Houston excels. The Orange also face challenges with their shooting accuracy, particularly from beyond the arc and at the free-throw line, where they shoot 33.3% and 61.2%, respectively. In contrast, Houston has a significant advantage in free-throw shooting at 79.6%.
Following this game, Syracuse will play No. 24 Kansas on Tuesday and another opponent later in the week. This stretch of games will be crucial for the Orange as they aim to end their four-year NCAA Tournament drought. Syracuse University hopes to capitalize on their strong start to the season and build momentum against top-ranked opponents.