Pitt-Syracuse game prediction

Saturday, 02 February 2013 10:25

Written by Ray Fittipaldo

(Season record 5-4)

Syracuse is the highest scoring team in the Big East and Pitt allows the fewest points in the conference.

But here is where the game will be won or lost: Turnovers and transition defense.

Pitt is among the best team in the country in limiting turnovers, but the Panthers have been struggling in recent games, giving up 15 per game over the past three.

Syracuse thrives off turnovers and transition offense. The Orange force 17 per game and like to generate offense from other team’s mistakes.

Syracuse certainly can score in the half court, but is much less effective. Syracuse shoots a pedestrian 32.7 percent (10^th in the Big East) from 3-point range. Turnovers and poor transition defense did the Panthers in last season when they lost at Syracuse.

On offense, Pitt has a good history against the 2-3 zone. It will be imperative for Talib Zanna and J.J. Moore to play well in the high post. They don’t necessarily have to score a lot of points, but they have to make the correct decisions in where to distribute the ball. The Panthers cannot settle for 3-pointers against the zone. Syracuse is first in the Big East in 3-point field goal defense.  

Pitt has 8 of the past 10 against Syracuse and has always enjoyed a home-court edge against the Orange. The previous time the Panthers lost at home to Syracuse was 2004, a low-scoring 49-46 overtime affair. I expect a higher scoring game today, but for the Panthers to win again.

Pitt 69, Syracuse 66

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed