GAME NOTES: A couple of teams trying to get back into the win column hook up in Big East play at the Carrier Dome today, as the Providence Friars tussle with the Syracuse Orange. The Friars enter the contest on a losing note, as they were downed by Seton Hall, 88-75, on Thursday. The loss put an end to the team's three-game win streak and dropped it to 12-6 overall and an even 3-3 against league foes. Providence now heads back out to the road, where it has won just once in four tries. As for Syracuse, it has struggled of late, losing four of its past five games, including two straight. The team was last in play on Monday, when it was outlasted in overtime, 64-62, by nationally-ranked Georgetown. With the loss, the Orange dipped to 13-7 overall and 3-4 in conference play. Syracuse owns a commanding 40-9 advantage in the all-time series with Providence and it has won the last two meetings.

With five players averaging in double figures, the Friars are as balanced as they come, and they are producing a solid 76.7 ppg for the season. Jeff Xavier leads the group with 12.9 ppg, but he is followed closely by Weyinmi Efejuku and his 12.3 ppg average. Brian McKenzie nips at both their heels with 12.2 ppg, while Geoff McDermott turns in 11.5 ppg and team-highs of 8.2 rpg and 4.6 apg. Dwain Williams rounds out the rotation with 10.3 ppg. In the team's last game, Providence shot a lackluster 38.3 percent from the field, including a poor 6-of-23 showing from long distance, as it was dropped by Seton Hall. Efejuku paced the team in the setback with 23 points, while Xavier logged 16 points despite a 1-of-10 performance from beyond the arc.

The Orange are one of the premier scoring teams in the Big East, averaging a hardy 81.5 ppg on an efficient 49.7 percent shooting from the field. Despite being just a freshman, Donte Greene leads this potent attack in scoring at 18.4 ppg and he is also ripping down 7.8 rpg. Jonny Flynn, another talented freshman, ranks second with 15.4 ppg and he is dishing out a team-high 5.2 apg. Arinze Onuaku adds 13.3 ppg and a solid 8.1 rpg to the mix, while Paul Harris nearly averages a double-double with 12.9 ppg and a team-high 9.1 rpg. In the squad's previous outing, Flynn poured in 24 points, but his game- winning three-point attempt at the buzzer in overtime was off the mark and Syracuse was downed, 64-62, at Georgetown. The Orange scored just two points in overtime, going 0-of-6 from the field and only 2-of-7 at the foul line. Greene turned in 15 points and nine rebounds in the loss, while Onuaku recorded a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds.

Both teams can score at a high level, but the Orange are the better shooting and rebounding team and that is why they should come out on top when all is said and done today.