DURHAM, N.C. (Interstat) — A surging Duke squad with national championship aspirations hosts a Syracuse team searching for a signature road win when the Atlantic Coast Conference rivals meet Monday at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils (23-2, 10-2 ACC), whose only losses are by a combined six points, have won nine of their last 10. They are led by sophomore forward Cameron Boozer, a consistent force averaging 21.2 points and 7.8 rebounds. Boozer is coming off an 18-point, 8-rebound performance in a 67-54 win over Clemson on Saturday. Syracuse (14-11, 5-8) arrives after a tense 79-78 home victory over SMU, snapping a two-game skid. The Orange’s hopes hinge on forward Donnie Freeman, who scored 18 points and blocked four shots against the Mustangs. Freeman has shown high-level scoring ability, including a 24-point effort at North Carolina State and a 23-point game at North Carolina earlier this month, but consistency has been elusive. The matchup presents a stark contrast. Duke boasts one of the nation’s most efficient defenses, holding opponents to 60.8 points per game. Syracuse, meanwhile, has struggled defensively on the road, allowing 80.3 points in its last three ACC road losses. History heavily favors the Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor, where they are 13-0 this season. Syracuse last won in Durham in 2014. For the Orange, a win would dramatically boost their fading NCAA tournament resume. For Duke, it’s a necessary step to maintain its position atop the ACC standings alongside North Carolina before their regular-season finale rematch on March 7. After this contest, Duke travels to face Michigan in Washington, D.C., on Saturday. Syracuse hosts North Carolina next Saturday.