The No. 1 team in the country, Syracuse University, looks to end their non-conference, regular-season schedule a perfect 13-0 Thursday, as the Orange host Tulane University in a men's basketball game at the Carrier Dome (7 p.m. on SNY). The Orange (13-0) will try to finish their non-conference, regular-season schedule unbeaten for the third straight season. The last non-conference, regular-season loss for Syracuse came in 2008-09 when it lost at home, 72-69, to Cleveland State, Dec. 15. Syracuse begins Big East Conference play by hosting Seton Hall on Wednesday.
Behind a game-best 17 points from senior forward Kris Joseph, the Orange (12-0) avoided a letdown Tuesday night when they easily defeated Bucknell University, 80-61. Syracuse was coming off a monster road victory over North Carolina State University, 88-72, last Saturday. That win was the Orange's first true road game of the season and was played just five days after they were voted the No. 1 team in the nation for the first time in two seasons.
Meanwhile, Tulane will be playing its first game in 11 days. On Sunday, Dec. 11, the Green Wave downed Jacksonville State, 56-51, to collect their second straight victory. Tulane's lone loss of the season came at Wofford, Dec. 6, 61-50.
Junior guard Kendall Timmons paces the Green Wave in scoring with 13.2 ppg, while freshman guard Ricky Tarrant is averaging 12.3 ppg and a team-best 3.2 assists per game.
Behind an average of 18 3-point attempts per game, the Green Wave net just 70.9 points per game.
SB Nation New York will be blogging from press row at the Carrier Dome Thursday night, as the Syracuse Orange host the Tulane Green Wave. Be sure to check back for in-game updates and postgame stuff. Visit SB Nation's Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician for more on Syracuse. Follow along on Twitter at SBNationNY or JaredSmithCNY.