Sunday's Syracuse-Arizona State matchup should be interesting, although if James Harden struggles to another 1-for-8 shooting night the Orange will probably run away with it.

Harden and Syracuse point guard Jonny Flynn have struck up a friendship in recent years, one that grew last summer as they worked different tournaments and camps such as the LeBron James Camp.

Thursday night, the two backcourt stars spoke on the phone and wished each other luck. Both noted their teams had missed the NCAA Tournament last year and motivated each other to make the most of this opportunity.

"We just said to play our game, this is what we live for," Harden recalled after his nine-point game in Friday's 66-57 win over Temple. "We both didn't make it to the tournament last year, so this year we wnat to put on a good show."

Flynn scored a team-high 16 points on 8-of-13 shooting in Friday's first game in Miami pod, a 59-44 Syracuse win over outmanned Stephen F. Austin.

Could this upcoming matchup put a strain on their friendship? Harden said no.

"We know we're still friends," he said. "No matter what. I wish him the best of luck."

> Discuss this entry