GAME NOTES: A set of teams trying to get back into the win column hook up in Morgantown today, as the Syracuse Orange take on the West Virginia Mountaineers in a Big East affair. After opening Big East play with two straight wins at home, the Orange took to the road on Wednesday, where it was downed by Cincinnati 74-66. The loss snapped the team's season-high six game win streak and dropped it to 12-4 overall and an even 1-1 on the road. Following today's bout, Syracuse will return back home for two straight games, starting with Rutgers on Wednesday. As for WVU, it has dropped three of its past four contests following an eight-game winning streak. Most recently, the team was stopped by Louisville, 63-54, on Thursday to fall to 1-2 in conference play. Now at 11-4 overall, the Mountaineers return back home, where they have gone a perfect 7-0 thus far. With regard to the all-time series, Syracuse holds a 29-15 advantage over WVU and it has won the last eight meetings.

The Orange are shooting an efficient 51.1 percent from the floor and they are outrebounding opponents by 6.8 ppg. The team's success in both departments has helped it to average a healthy 84.7 ppg for the season. Freshman Donte Greene leads this potent attack with 19.4 ppg and he is also collecting 8.1 rpg and shooting 40.9 percent from three-point range. Fellow rookie, Jonny Flynn adds 14.1 ppg to the rotation and he is dishing out a team-best 5.8 apg. Arinze Onuaku puts forth 13.8 ppg and a solid 8.0 rpg for Syracuse, while Paul Harris nearly averages a double-double with 13.4 ppg and a team-high 9.4 rpg. In the team's last game, Greene notched his fourth double-double with 25 points and 12 rebounds, but it still wasn't enough for the Orange in a loss at Cincinnati. Harris also turned in strong performance, posting 20 points and six boards. The Orange hit on just 40.7 percent of its total shots and it also lost the battle on the boards 39-32.

The Mountaineers are outscoring their foes by a whopping 20.3 ppg this season, as they are shooting 47.6 percent from the floor compared to just 39.2 percent by their opponents. The team is also forcing 18.6 turnovers per game, while committing only 11.6 miscues itself. Alex Ruoff leads the club in both scoring (16.2 ppg) and steals (30) and he is shooting 45.1 percent from three-point range. Joe Alexander is hot on his trail with 16.1 ppg and he tops the roster in rebounding at 6.1 rpg. Da'Sean Butler adds 12.3 ppg and 5.1 rpg to the mix, while Darris Nichols chips in with 10.5 ppg. In the squad's prior outing, WVU shot a lackluster 36.4 percent from the floor, including just a 4-of-17 showing from long distance, as it was downed at Louisville. Alexander paced the team in defeat with 22 points, while Ruoff logged 13 points and six rebounds.

WVU has stumbled a bit of late, but it now returns back home, where it has yet to be defeated this season. With the support of their fans and a balanced effort, look for the Mountaineers to capture the victory today.