Orange Returns to the Dome Sunday

Syracuse vs. Florida State
Game Details	Sunday, Jan. 11 \| Syracuse, N.Y. \| 8 p.m. \| Carrier Dome
Game Coverage	TV: ESPNU/ESPN3 \| Radio: Syracuse IMG Network Video \| Audio \| Live Stats Twitter: @cuse
Syracuse Links	Notes \| News \| Roster \| Schedule
Fla. State Links	Notes \| News \| Roster \| Schedule

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse will play four of its next five games in the Carrier Dome, beginning Sunday, Jan. 11 when the Orange hosts Florida State. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. Syracuse goes for its sixth consecutive win and third straight in conference action.

Tickets for Sunday's game are available online, by phone (1-888-DOMETIX) or in person at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B). The game will be televised on ESPN and ESPNU. Fans not in attendance can listen to the action on the Syracuse IMG Radio Network and its flagship TK99 (99.5 FM). Live audio will be available on CuseTV on Cuse.com. Subscriptions to CuseTV are available at daily, monthly and yearly rates.

PREGAME READING
What to Watch For – Syracuse (11-4, 2-0)
1. With two blocks against Georgia Tech, senior Rakeem Christmas has moved into the top 10 on Syracuse's all-time leader list. He now has 203 blocked shots in his career, which puts him in a tie for 10th place on Syracuse's career leader list with Conrad McRae (1989-93). Christmas leads the team with 34 blocks this season.
2. Junior Michael Gbinije recorded his first double-double of his career in Syracuse's win at Georgia Tech. He tallied 14 points and pulled down a career-high 10 rebounds against the Yellow Jackets. Gbinije has been a member of the starting five in Syracuse's past eight games. During that stretch, he is averaging 12.4 points per game.
3. The Orange has held two of its last three opponents to less than 50 points. Syracuse ranks third in the ACC and 25th in the nation in scoring defense, allowing 57.5 points per game. In addition, the Orange is fourth in the league and 14th in the country in field goal percentage defense (.366).

What to Watch For – Florida State (9-6, 1-1)
1. After losing three of its first four games to start the season, the Seminoles have won five of their last six to improve to 9-6 overall. Florida State defeated Virginia Tech on Tuesday to even its conference mark at 1-1.
2. Four Seminoles average double figures in scoring, led by Aaron Thomas' 14.8 points per game. The group also includes Montay Brandon (13.5 ppg.), Xavier Rathan-Mayes (12.4 ppg.) and Devon Bookert (10.3 ppg.). Rathan-Mayes directs the Florida State offense. He has dished out a team-best 66 assists, while Brandon leads the team in rebounding (5.5 rpg.).
3. Leonard Hamilton is in his 13th season as the helm of the Florida State program. He has guided the Seminoles to a 228-163 record. Hamilton needs nine more wins to become the school's all-time winningest coach. Previously, he served as the head coach at Miami (FL) and Oklahoma State.

THE SERIES
Syracuse leads the all-time series with Florida State, 4-1. The squads met last season for the first time in 17 years. The Orange defeated the Seminoles, 74-58, in the Carrier Dome.

UP NEXT…
Syracuse welcomes Wake Forest to the Carrier Dome on Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 8 p.m.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Rakeem Christmas

Michael Gbinije

Syracuse University Athletics