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Syracuse moved up one spot in the most recent AP Top 25 poll following its 35-point blowout win over Miami on Sunday afternoon. The matchup was the Orange’s first since Dec. 20 after the program went on pause due to COVID-19.

SU fell from No. 22 to No. 24 in the AP rankings during the nearly month-long hiatus. In the top 25, only UConn has played as few games as the Orange — the two programs are tied, with seven apiece.

The latest poll also featured Louisville at No. 1 for the first time in program history. Syracuse is scheduled to take on the Cardinals on Thursday, which will be the Orange’s first ranked opponent this season. NC State — who Syracuse faces on Feb. 28 for its final regular-season game — moved up one spot to No. 2, tying the program’s highest-ever ranking. 

The Cardinals and Wolfpack join SU as the only three Atlantic Coast Conference programs that are ranked.

Against Miami, Syracuse returned from its pause with a 32-point first quarter performance and the most points it has scored in an ACC game. Freshman Priscilla Williams notched a career-high 26 points, shooting 9-of-9 from the field and 6-of-6 from beyond the arc. The Orange collectively shot 57% from 3 as it beat Miami for the second time this season.

Syracuse is scheduled to rematch UNC on Tuesday after the Tar Heels handed SU a 24-point defeat in the teams’ first meeting on Dec. 17. That loss remains No. 23 Syracuse’s only defeat of the season thus far. 

Published on January 18, 2021 at 2:16 pm

Contact Roshan: rferna04@syr.edu | @Roshan_f16