ACC rivals Duke and Syracuse meet in Sweet 16

OMAHA, NE (WTVD) -- The Duke Blue Devils have left for Omaha, Nebraska as they prepare to face ACC rival Syracuse in the NCAA tournament's Sweet Sixteen on Friday night at 9:30 p.m.

The Regional Semifinal game will be the third meeting between the two schools.

Duke beat Syracuse in their last Sweet Sixteen meeting in 1998, 80-67.

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said he thinks the Devils are hitting their stride at the right time.



But, it could be difficult to crush the Orange.

Eleventh-seeded Syracuse has won their first three games in the Midwest Region with close, low scoring victories over Arizona State, TCU, and third-seeded Michigan State.



Syracuse is holding their opponents to just under 54 points a game.

Duke could be a bigger obstacle for Syracuse.

The Blue Devils easily won their first two games in the tournament over Iona and Rhode Island.



About a month ago in Durham, Duke cruised past the Cuse 60-44 behind Marvin Bagley III's 19 points, with Wendell Carter Jr. adding 16.

But Coach K knows that his players will have to be prepared to face an improved team.