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Georgetown At Syracuse: Hoyas Play Ancient Rival One More Time

The No. 12-ranked Georgetown Hoyas visit the No. 2 Syracuse Orange for an old-fashioned Big East Conference men's basketball brawl at the Carrier Dome (7 p.m. on ESPNU).

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 26:  Georgetown Hoyas fans cheer before a college basketball game against the Syracuse Orange on February 26, 2011 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC  The Orange 58-51.  (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 26: Georgetown Hoyas fans cheer before a college basketball game against the Syracuse Orange on February 26, 2011 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC The Orange 58-51. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
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The No. 12-ranked Georgetown Hoyas will look to spoil a possible milestone celebration for long-time Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim Wednesday, as the Hoyas visit the No. 2 Orange at the Carrier Dome for a Big East Conference contest (7 p.m. on ESPN).

The Hoyas (18-4, 8-3 Big East) will be searching for their third straight league win, while Boeheim tries for his 880th-career victory, which would put the longtime coach past former North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Dean Smith for third all-time on the Division I list.

On Saturday, the Hoyas earned their second solid victory in as many games by routing the South Florida Bulls, 75-44, at the Verizon Center. The win followed a victory over the visiting Connecticut Huskies, 58-44, last Wednesday.

Georgetown has now earned victories in five of their last six games and are now trying to catch Syracuse for the top spot in the Big East standings, with the second-place Marquette Golden Eagles (9-3) just a half game ahead of the Hoyas.

Overall, senior guard Jason Clark is averaging a team-best 15.0 ppg and shooting a scorching 50-percent from the field, while junior forward Hollis Thompson is second-best with 13.7 ppg.

As of late, senior center Henry Sims has been great as he's averaged 12.8 ppg, 6.8 rebounds per game, 3.4 assists per game and 1.6 blocks per game in the Hoyas' last five games.

Sims is also the only player in the Big East in the top 15 in assists and blocker per game.

Meanwhile, the Orange have rallied off three straight victories after losing their first and only game of the season to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Jan. 21.

On Saturday, Syracuse routed host St. John's Red Storm, 95-70, as it enjoyed the return of sophomore center Fab Melo, who missed the previous three SU contests because of an academic issue that stemmed from the first semester.

Melo tallied a career-best 14 points and added three rebounds and two blocks.

Check out, the SB Nation's blog Casual Hoya to discuss everything Georgetown, while Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician is all about the Orange.

For a live blog of the showdown, check out SB Nation New York's StoryStream, as they will be updating from the Carrier Dome's press row. Make sure to follow them on Twitter at SBNationNY or JaredSmithCNY.