Syracuse vs. Buffalo: Key storylines for the non-conference game

OMAHA, NE - MARCH 23: Head coach Jim Boeheim of the Syracuse Orange speaks to his team during a timeout against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at CenturyLink Center on March 23, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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SYRACUSE, NY – DECEMBER 04: Jalen Carey #5 of the Syracuse Orange dunks the ball against the Northeastern Huskies during the second half at the Carrier Dome on December 4, 2018 in Syracuse, New York. Syracuse defeated Northeastern 72-49. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) /

Syracuse and Buffalo do battle in a key non-conference matchup. What are the key storylines that’ll impact these teams before and after the game?

Last season, Syracuse barely made the NCAA Tournament despite having 13 total losses heading into Selection Sunday. One reason they got in was due to the number of quality wins, including an 81-74 victory over the Buffalo Bulls.

Freshman Oshae Brissett had his best game yet in college with a game-high 25 points and eight rebounds, with Frank Howard chipping in with 18. Nick Perkins was the most productive Buffalo player, leading the team with 18 points and seven boards off the bench.

As good as the Bulls were last season, winning 27 games and making it to the Round of 32 in the Big Dance, they’re even better this season. Buffalo is one of nine remaining unbeaten teams at 10-0 and is currently ranked in the top-15 for the first time in school history. They already have a quality win at West Virginia, while also defeating San Francisco to win the Belfast Classic in Ireland.

But like all mid-majors not named Gonzaga, Buffalo needs to continue to add to their resume to warrant an at-large bid. They have a great chance this week with both Marquette and Syracuse on the schedule. The Orange is up first, coming in with a record of 7-3 after a loss to Old Dominion. That defeat caused them to drop out of the top-25.

Syracuse was the prohibited favorite last season, but Buffalo might have the edge in this one, even with the game being at the Carrier Dome again. There are plenty of storylines in this game, with these being the top three to analyze.