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GAME NOTES: The third-ranked Syracuse Orange will try to continue their winning ways tonight, as they entertain the Providence Friars in a Big East clash at the Carrier Dome.

After starting the season unranked, Syracuse has pushed its way to No.3 in the nation courtesy of a sparkling 21-1 record. Since losing its only game to Pittsburgh on January 2nd, the Orange have run off eight straight victories, including a narrow 59-57 triumph at DePaul on Saturday. Syracuse will now gun for its first 22-1 start under head coach Jim Boeheim.

As for the Friars, they upended then 19th-ranked UConn on Wednesday, but were unable to build off that victory, falling 92-88 at Cincinnati on Saturday. Providence has now dropped three of its past four decisions and sits at 12-9 overall and just 4-5 in conference play.

In regard to the all-time series, Syracuse holds a 41-10 advantage over Providence and that includes a 17-3 record when playing at home.

Providence committed 13 turnovers that led to 22 points for Cincinnati, which also shot an efficient 57.1 percent from the floor in a 92-88 decision this past weekend. The Friars kept things close by knocking down 13 three-pointers, but hurt their cause with a poor 9-of-18 effort at the foul line. Sharaud Curry paced the squad in the loss with 27 points on 5-of-10 long-range buckets, while Jamine Peterson posted 19 points and five boards. For the season, Peterson is one of the few players in the Big East currently averaging a double-double, as he puts forth team highs of 18.0 ppg and 10.0 rpg. Curry is second with 15.5 ppg and 3.7 apg, while Marshon Brooks tacks on 14.8 ppg and 4.5 rpg for the Friars.

Tough defense and timely shooting helped the Orange survive DePaul this past weekend and improve to 21-1 for the first time since the 1979-80 campaign. Syracuse, which trailed by as many as 18, limited DePaul to just 22 points in the second half and a modest 40.7 percent shooting effort from the floor for the game. Wes Johnson led the charge with an all-around effort of 16 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists. The Iowa State transfer has been as good as advertised and he is leading the Orange with 17.1 ppg and 9.2 rpg for the season. Andy Rautins and Kris Joseph both add 10.4 ppg, with Rautins also dishing out a team-high 5.0 apg and Joseph collecting 5.2 rpg.

The Orange have plenty of weapons that should be able to exploit Providence's lack of defense en route to another victory tonight.