Syracuse remains undefeated on the season as they make their way through ACC play. Currently sitting 16-0 on the year, extending that to 17-0 might not be tough on Monday as the team faces Boston College who is struggling to string together any wins this year.
The No. 2 Orange are getting through with one of the most balanced team's in college basketball. Their defense has come on as a strength in the past two weeks, allowing just an average of 47.3 points on 37.1 shooting percentage in the last four games. Even when shooting season-lows like 35.0 percent against the North Carolina Tar Heels, they still held the team to just 45 points, their lowest in 17 seasons.
Now, Syracuse faces a struggling Boston College who ranks just 11th in the ACC in scoring, putting up an average of 70.8 points per game. The team is led but junior Lonnie Jackson and the ACC's second-leading scorer Olivier Hanlan who averages 19.5 points per game. The team has come close in several games, losing four games by four points or fewer so they have the ability to score is Syrcause overlooks them.
The Eagles have not played well against ranked opponents in the past. The team has lost 17 of their last 18 games against Top 25 teams and eight in a row dating back to 2012. The No. 2 Orange are the highest-ranked team Boston College has faced since 2009 when Wake Forest was ranked No. 2 at the time.
Head coach Jim Boeheim is making sure his team does not get caught in a trap facing the Eagles on the road. He told media that while Boston College might only be 5-11 on the season, the Orange will have their hands full in a hostile environment.
