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Preview: Syracuse at Arkansas
Syracuse, which has gained some confidence in the first four games, takes to the road against dangerous Arkansas in the SEC/Big East Challenge on Friday. The fifth-ranked Orange handled Wagner, Princeton and Colgate by an average of 29 points at the Carrier Dome after an impressive win over No. 21 San Diego State. Sophomore Michael Carter-Williams has emerged as a prime-time player, leading the nation in assists and placing in the top five in steals. The 6-6 guard has helped the offense run smoothly, but that will get a test against the ball-hawking Razorbacks. Arkansas is forcing 18.4 turnovers and capitalizing on them at a solid rate. The Razorbacks may not want to push the pace too much because Syracuse has more scoring options, but they will have to bother the Orange on the perimeter to win.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
ABOUT SYRACUSE (4-0): Carter-Williams had 13 assists against Colgate on Sunday and has 37 on the season, one more than his shot total. His vision has helped Brandon Triche and James Southerland average 15.3 points and C.J. Fair 11. Carter-Williams also has contributed 41 points and 16 steals. The Orange have scored over 80 points twice but have yet to get on track from beyond the arc (26.6 percent). Sophomore center Rakeem Christmas is one of four players averaging more than five rebounds and has been a defensive force with 10 blocks overall. Freshmen DaJuan Coleman and Trevor Cooney will chip in more as time goes on.
ABOUT ARKANSAS (3-2): The Razorbacks let an 11-point halftime lead get away in the 77-70 loss to Wisconsin on Saturday and finished fourth in the Las Vegas Invitational. Arkansas has a plus-8.6 turnover margin and is averaging 9.4 steals but still gave up 160 points in losing its last two. The Razorbacks are averaging 25.8 points off turnovers, and they still have to prove they can produce big points against tough competition. BJ Young averages 20.5 points, while Marshawn Powell has added 12.2 points and 5.2 rebounds to come back strong after a season-ending knee injury. The Razorbacks will need more scoring depth going forward.
TIP-INS
1. Arkansas won the only other meeting 96-94 in overtime during the second round of the 1995 NCAA tournament.
2. Syracuse has won 46 consecutive regular-season games against non-conference teams.
3. Arkansas is 2-7 against the spread in its last nine games against Big East squads.
PREDICTION: Syracuse 78, Arkansas 68.
