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The Syracuse Orange men's basketball team will try to end a three-game losing streak when they take on the Louisville Cardinals at the KFC Yum Center in Louisville, Kentucky, on Tuesday (March 3). The matchup, which tips off at 9 p.m. and airs on the ACC Network, is critical for both teams as they look to improve their standing before the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament.
Syracuse enters the contest with a 15-14 overall record and a 6-10 mark in ACC play. The Orange most recently lost to Wake Forest 88-83 on Saturday (February 28).
The Orange have struggled to maintain momentum in the second half of games, often losing leads and failing to get crucial stops. Standout forward Donnie Freeman, who scored a career-high 28 points against Wake Forest, remains a key player, but the team knows it will need to defend better against a high-powered Louisville offense.
Louisville, ranked 24th and holding a 20-9 record (9-7 ACC), averages 86.4 points per game—eighteenth in the nation—and is also ranked nineteenth in offensive efficiency. The Cardinals are 12.5-point favorites heading into the game and have won five straight at home, according to Fox Sports 1280. However, they will be without freshman point guard Mikel Brown Jr., who is sidelined with a back injury. Brown is a projected NBA lottery pick and leads Louisville in assists, averaging 18.2 points and 4.7 assists per game this season. The Cardinals are 4-4 when he is not on the floor, as reported by On3.
Syracuse will also miss Aaron Womack and Noah Lobdell due to injuries. The Orange have struggled against ranked teams this season, with only one win over then-thirteenth-ranked Tennessee, but a victory over Louisville could boost their chances for a better ACC tournament seed and a shot at March Madness.
As both teams look to improve their postseason prospects, the focus will be on whether Syracuse can contain Louisville's offense and if Donnie Freeman can continue his strong play against a tough Cardinals defense. The outcome of this game may have significant implications for both squads' tournament hopes.