ACC Basketball: 5 key storylines for 2020 ACC/Big Ten Challenge

Mar 2, 2020; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski (right) directs guard Cassius Stanley (2) and forward Matthew Hurt (21) during the second half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Duke won 88-69. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /

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ACC Basketball Syracuse Orange Joe Girard III Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

Syracuse looks to make it 13 and counting

It looked like things would be a struggle for the Syracuse Orange as they squeaked out an 85-84 victory over Bryant University in the first game of the season. Since then, it’s been smooth sailing for them, so far.

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights can play spoiler and then some when they come to the Carrier Dome on Tuesday night and face Syracuse. They’ll look to flip history and snap a 13-game winning streak in a series where Syracuse holds 30 wins and just eight losses.

The Scarlet Knights were once a familiar foe of the Orange when both were members of the Big East Conference. Now, Rutgers looks to play spoiler on the road while meeting for the first time since January 2, 2013.

In their 87-52 win over Rider, Syracuse guards Joe Girard III and Alan Griffin both posted 20+ points and went a combined 10-of-18 from 3-point range. Girard made six 3-pointers while Griffin made four. Both also combined for 10 assists with five apiece.

They’ll look to bring some of that magic with them on Tuesday against a scrappy Rutgers squad. Ron Harper and company will give them everything they have in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.