(Sports Network) -- One of the nation's lone remaining undefeated teams will be in action on New Year's Day, as the fifth-ranked Syracuse Orange put their unblemished record on the line against the 15th-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish in a Big East Conference affair.
The Irish are set to play their first true road game of the campaign, and they carry a 12-1 overall record into this contest. They opened Big East play against a ranked Georgetown team on Wednesday and posted an impressive 69-55 victory. Notre Dame has now won its last four games since suffering its lone loss in a 14-point decision to Kentucky. Syracuse has yet to play a true road game despite the fact that it has already taken the floor 14 times, and there is no doubt that the home-friendly schedule has played a major role in the stellar start.
The Orange moved to 14-0 on Tuesday with an 81-74 decision over Providence in the Big East opener. Jim Boeheim may not have his most talented team this year, but the legendary coach certainly knows how to get the most from his players.
The Orange hold a 23-18 series edge over the Fighting Irish, which includes victories in each of the last two meetings.