Preview: DePaul at Syracuse

Syracuse will try to stop its slide down the Big East standings and snap a three-game skid when the 16th-ranked Orange host DePaul on Wednesday night. Syracuse has slipped into a tie for fifth in the conference with three straight losses to ranked opponents, but it has a prime opportunity to get on track with a visit from struggling DePaul.The Blue Demons have lost four straight and 13 of 14 after an 83-73 loss at South Florida on Sunday. DePaul has lost 42 consecutive games against ranked opponents since knocking off No. 16 Villanova on Jan. 3, 2008. Syracuse has won the past six meetings dating to 2006. The Orange have lost two straight at the Carrier Dome after a 38-game home winning streak.TV: 6 p.m. ET, WCIU (Chicago), Big East Network.ABOUT SYRACUSE (22-7, 10-6 Big East): The Orange have four players averaging double-digit scoring with C.J. Fair (14.6 points, 7.3 rebounds) and Brandon Triche (14.2 points) leading the way. James Southerland (13.8 points) and Michael Carter-Williams (12.5 points, 7.9 assists) also score in double figures. The Orange don't get much production from the bench, though, and the offense has stagnated during the losing streak.ABOUT DEPAUL (11-18, 2-14): Despite its struggles in coach Oliver Purnell's third season, DePaul boasts two of the Big East's top 10 scorers in Brandon Young (16.8 points) and Melvin Cleveland (16.5 points). That can be attributed largely to the Blue Demons' up-tempo style of play; they score 72.6 points per game and allow 75 points per contest. DePaul allows opponents to shoot 46.1 percent from the field, which ranks near the bottom of Division I.TIP-INS1. Syracuse has not lost four straight since Jan. 17-29, 2011. 2. DePaul has made at least one 3-pointer in 608 consecutive games dating to Feb. 16, 1993.3. The Orange will honor four senior players in a pregame ceremony before their final home game at the Carrier Dome.PREDICTION: Syracuse 79, DePaul 68