SYRACUSE, N.Y. (Interstat) — A surging SMU team looks to bolster its NCAA tournament resume when it visits the struggling Syracuse Orange in an Atlantic Coast Conference men’s basketball matchup Saturday at the Carrier Dome. The Mustangs (17-7, 7-4 ACC) have won four of their last five, including an 89-81 victory over Notre Dame on Tuesday. They are led by dynamic guard Boopie Miller, who is averaging 18.1 points and 6.4 assists in conference play. Miller scored 20 points with seven assists against the Irish and has topped 20 points in three of his last five outings. Syracuse (13-11, 4-7) is trending in the opposite direction, having lost seven of its last 10 games. The Orange needed double-overtime to outlast California 107-100 at home on Wednesday, a game in which guard Nate Kingz played 43 minutes and scored a team-high 27 points. Kingz has been a bright spot, averaging 19.3 points over his last three contests, but Syracuse’s defense has faltered, allowing an average of 84.2 points in its last five games. SMU’s offensive efficiency, ranking among the ACC’s best, will test a Syracuse zone defense that has been vulnerable. The Mustangs also feature secondary scoring from Jaron Pierre, who had 22 points against Notre Dame. For Syracuse, consistency beyond Kingz is crucial. JJ Starling (21 points vs. California) and point guard Naithan George, who had a double-double Wednesday, must provide sustained support. The game pits SMU’s potent offense against a Syracuse team desperate for a quality conference win to halt its slide. A victory would give the Mustangs a key road win, while the Orange aim to protect their home court and revive their postseason hopes. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST Saturday. Syracuse travels to Duke on Monday, while SMU hosts Louisville on Tuesday.