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Oakland, Mich.-Syracuse Preview

Dec 22, 2009 - 1:05 AM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

Oakland (6-6) at Syracuse (11-0), 7:00 p.m. EDT

Syracuse has put together its longest undefeated start in a decade. A final tuneup before heading into Big East play will likely keep that winning streak intact.

The fifth-ranked Orange look to improve to 12-0 on Tuesday night when they face Oakland at the Carrier Dome.

The Orange are off to their best start since winning their first 19 games of the 1999-2000 season. They've beaten opponents by an average of 25.4 points during their current run, with three victories coming against teams ranked 13th or better.

Syracuse is hoping a matchup with the Golden Grizzlies (6-6) can help it carry that momentum into conference play, which starts at Seton Hall on Dec. 29 after the team enjoys a one-week layoff.

The Orange continued their superb start Saturday, shooting 56.1 percent in an 85-72 win over St. Bonaventure. Despite another strong performance, coach Jim Boeheim expects more from his team.

"We've had some games that have been physical, but I think we're prepared for that," Boeheim said. "I just don't think that we had the quickness defensively that we've had. Offensively we played well when we didn't turn it over."

Syracuse ranks third in the country in scoring with 88.0 points per game, and that production is spread out with six players averaging in double figures. Forward Wesley Johnson accounts for a team-high 16.5.

Johnson, who also leads the Orange with 7.9 rebounds per game, is coming off another strong outing. The junior made 6 of 11 shots for 17 points while pulling down 10 boards against the Bonnies.

Rick Jackson is also producing at forward, giving Syracuse a strong frontcourt presence. The junior is averaging 10.5 points and 7.4 rebounds after posting 18 and 10, respectively, Saturday.

The Orange beat Oakland 86-66 on Nov. 21, 2008, in the only previous meeting between the teams.

The Golden Grizzlies, 3-5 on the road, are looking to rebound from a 72-60 loss at Oregon on Saturday. They allowed the Ducks to go on a 16-0 second-half run and endured one of their worst shooting displays of the season, converting 32.7 percent from the floor and 5 for 20 from 3-point range.

"With 10 minutes remaining we were tied and then we give up a two-point shot, and two run outs, and that blew it open," said assistant coach Saddi Washington, who filled in for coach Greg Kampe after he was ejected in the second half for arguing with officials.

"Up until that point I thought we were playing hard and really well, and then it just kind of got away from us."

Oakland is led by 6-foot-11 center Keith Benson, who ranks third in the Summit League with 17.7 points per game while leading the conference with 11.1 rebounds.

Benson, though, was limited to 14 points and 3 for 9 shooting while grabbing a season-low three rebounds against the Ducks.

The Golden Grizzlies have won just once in 22 tries against ranked opponents since moving to Division I in 1998. They've dropped three in a row to Top 25 opponents, including two this season, since beating then-No. 23 Oregon 68-62 on Dec. 22, 2007.