Duke vs. Syracuse: Keys and storylines for 2019-20 matchup

Duke takes on Syracuse in a big-time ACC matchup. What are the keys and storylines to the game?

As Duke travels north to play Syracuse on Saturday, they write the next chapter in a budding rivalry that has produced some memorable games recently.  The two coaches who sit atop the wins list in NCAA men’s basketball are good friends, but also fierce competitors who will have their teams ready for another battle that neither can afford to lose.

From the two classics in 2014, think the Rasheed Sulaimon shot to force overtime and the CJ Fair foul to force the explosion of Jim Boeheim, to last year’s upset of a Zion-led squad in OT; the matchups between Duke and Syracuse have the chance to produce fireworks.  They have the chance to make Game of the Year type moments, of the regular season anyway, and proven that rankings don’t necessarily matter.

That is always a good indication of a true rivalry; when you can throw away the standings, put aside the analysis and prognostications to just lace ’em up and play ball.  When there is a buzz and energy surrounding the game that transcends the records and rank of the teams playing.

That’s exactly what’s expected in New York on Saturday night as a crowd thought to swell over 30,000 will take in this latest installment of the compelling series.  The hype has been tempered a bit by the Orange’s loss at Clemson although the Blue Devils would know how they feel, having suffered their own defeat at Little John Arena earlier in January.

The ‘Cuse were riding high, having won five straight including three on the road.  They have won four on the road overall and no matter how down the ACC may or may not be, four straight road wins in a power conference is still an impressive feat.  Now they welcome a Duke team fresh from a rare mid-season bye week and a hard-fought victory over the Pittsburgh Panthers at home.

Despite the loss, Syracuse has been playing well and entered the bubble conversation as they usually do this time of year.  A win over Duke could be vital to those chances as they only play two other ranked teams until the ACC tournament and both those contests are on the road, back to back at FSU and Louisville.

Here are some key storylines to the game that has the potential to be another one for the ages, again for the regular season, and what each team needs to do to win and keep rolling on towards March.