Michael Carter-Williams shot just 3-of-17 from the floor as Temple focused its entire defense on turning the 6-foot-6 point guard into a scorer.

“They were denying the wings and not letting me kick it out,’’ Carter-Williams said. “They were trying to force me to finish and that’s what I tried to do.’’

Carter-Williams finished with 13 points for the Orange, who struggled to find space outside and consequently shot just 2-for-12 from beyond the arc.

“They didn’t try to come off to help,’’ coach Jim Boeheim said. “He’s got to finish those. He missed some good looks. He got some good opportunities.’’

Carter-Williams won’t be surprised if more teams dare him to score.

“I think a lot of teams are going to start doing that,’’ the sophomore guard said. “They see that I pass the ball. I’ve got to get used to it.’’

Michael Carter-Williams and the Syracuse police have denied social media rumors that Michael Carter-Williams was arrested for an alleged incident at an area department store.

Someone tweeted that she was the "First one to witness Michael carter Williams get arrested." Then someone posted two photos on Instagram purporting to be Carter-Williams being led with his hands behind his back on the escalator outside Lord & Taylor.

Carter-Williams posted this Sunday on his own Twitter account, before it was taken down: "End of story I was not arrested."