The Syracuse Orange will have little argument about their claim to the top spot in the college basketball rankings. They beat the Providence Friars on Wednesday night by a final score of 87-73, hanging onto their undefeated record in the process.
Brandon Triche led the Orange in scoring with 16 points. He was one of six players in double figures for points in the game. Triche scored 12 of those points by hitting four of five three-point shots, and the entire team sunk 58.8 percent of their three-pointers to give the Orange their fourth straight win over the Friars. Senior point guard Scoop Jardine, who was named a finalist for the 2012 Bob Cousy Award for the nation's top point guard, scored 10 points and had 11 assists on the night. He also had one rebound and one steal.
The win moves the Orange to 16-0 for the season and 3-0 in Big East play. With Georgetown beating Marquette, both teams are tied at 3-0 in conference play so far. Syracuse hosts Georgetown on Feb. 8.
Syracuse plays their next game on Saturday at home against Marquette.
For more on the Orange, visit the SB Nation blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician.