Syracuse (2-2) has won 52-straight games against Colgate (4-1) in what is the most-frequent matchup in the history of SU. The Orange and Raiders have met 170 times, dating back to 1902. Heading into meeting 171, Syracuse is coming off two losses at Madison Square Garden at the end of last week, to UConn and Oregon. The Raiders beat Binghamton on Monday night, 76-68, and are on a four-game win streak after losing their season opener in overtime.

Here’s what you need to know about the Raiders.

All-time series: Syracuse leads, 125-45

Last time they played: Last season, Syracuse beat Colgate, 72-58. In the Dec. 9 matchup, the Orange’s three-headed offensive attack led the way: Tyus Battle had 24, Oshae Brissett added 20 and Frank Howard chipped in 18. Paschal Chukwu had a good day at the rim with nine rebounds and four blocks. Two of Colgate’s top-three scorers that day, Jack Ferguson (20 points) and Will Rayman (12), return this season for the Raiders.

The Colgate report: The Raiders are led by Northwestern-transfer Rapolas Ivanauskas. The 6-foot-10 junior has grabbed double-digit rebounds in every game so far and is averaging 18.8 points per game and 11.6 rebounds per game, both tops on Colgate. He’s also shot 50 percent from 3 on 12 attempts.

Joining Ivanauskas in double-digit scoring are two returners: Rayman and Jordan Burns. Burns averages 15.6 points per game and leads the Raiders in assists. The Colgate perimeter attack runs through Burns, who hit five 3s against Monmouth earlier this season. If the Raiders want to stretch the SU zone, it’ll be through Burns. Rayman comes in at 6-foot-8 and averages 14.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. He scored in double figures against Syracuse last season, and is another big that will step beyond the arc and shoot the 3.

The Raiders have attempted about a third of their shots from 3-point range. When they played in the Dome last season, 35 out of 51 shot attempts were 3s. Expect these scorers, along with Ferguson, who scored 20 against the Orange last year, to hoist up lots of shots from distance.

How Syracuse beats Colgate: Close out on shooters and grab rebounds. If Syracuse limits Colgate to tough shots and prevents second chances, the SU offense will be given another game to work out the kinks. The Raiders have shown in the past that they aren’t shy about shooting 3s against the Orange; SU just has to make those shots as difficult as it can. Long shots generally mean long rebounds, so all five players on the floor for Syracuse will need to attack the glass. SU’s guards have to prevent perimeter players from Colgate from sliding inside them near the free-throw line, where the Orange have had trouble allowing offensive rebounds so far this season.

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Syracuse has the size advantage. Syracuse has the talent advantage. But in their last two games, SU was outworked and out-toughed, Jim Boeheim said at Madison Square Garden. The Orange will have to avoid that on Wednesday because the more chances Colgate gets, the more chances it’ll get to make 3s, which means the more chances at a surprising result.

KenPom odds: Syracuse has a 95 percent chance to win, by a projected score of 79-61

Stat to know: 20 – The career-high points scored by Colgate sophomore, Jack Ferguson, which came in the Carrier Dome last season. He’s eighth on the Raiders in scoring this season, but based on last season’s success, there’s a chance he gets more playing time than he’s been averaging to rekindle last year’s success.

Player to know: Rapolas Ivanauskas, forward, No. 25

Ivanauskas is in his first year with the Raiders after spending two seasons at Northwestern and then sitting out a year due to transfer. He shoots 58.1 percent from the floor and has made 6 of 12 3-pointers, and has grabbed double-digit rebounds in all five of Colgate’s games. The Raiders have Dana Batt at center in all five games this season, which could mean Ivanauskas spends much of the early part of Wednesday’s game attacking from the foul line. His shooting touch will force Paschal Chukwu to close out hard, and Ivanauskas will have to make plays from that point for the Raiders to contend on Wednesday.

Published on November 20, 2018 at 1:15 pm

Contact Billy: wmheyen@syr.edu | @Wheyen3