Syracuse (15-6, 6-2 Atlantic Coast) defeated Pittsburgh (12-9, 2-6), 74-63, a few weeks ago in the Carrier Dome. Now, the Orange travel to play the Panthers, who are 10-3 at home. SU comes off a win at Boston College on Wednesday, while Pitt has lost four-straight games.

Here’s what our beat writers expect to happen on Saturday.

Billy Heyen (17-4)
Taming the Zoo
Syracuse 70, Pittsburgh 64

This game should be closer than the first meeting, between a raucous crowd at “The Zoo” in Pittsburgh and Trey McGowens’ improved scoring form from the first meeting. But Syracuse showed in the first half at Boston College it can be balanced, and Tyus Battle showed he can be plenty aggressive. That combo should be more than enough to get a second road ACC win in a row.

Charlie DiSturco (16-5)
The Zookeeper
Syracuse 68, Pittsburgh 65

While Syracuse beat this same Pittsburgh by double digits a couple weeks ago, the Panthers are a much different team at home. Pitt is a team with a great defense that has downed Florida State and Louisville. Expect this game to be much closer with the Orange pulling away late. With Oshae Brissett shooting much better, SU will continue its road success.

Matthew Gutierrez (14-7)
Salt City takes Steel City
Syracuse 60, Pittsburgh 56

Teams benefit from a second go-around against the zone. Pittsburgh is trending upward. And the Panthers will be at home. All of that points to a tight ball game Saturday in the Steel City. But Pitt doesn’t have a post presence, so I’m going with SU. Boston College had a solid attack, but had they had a post presence? They would have won. Syracuse gets its ninth win in its last 11 games.

Published on February 2, 2019 at 9:23 am