No. 6 Syracuse basketball (19-12) now knows they will play No.14 Pittsburgh basketball (14-18) for a spot in the ACC tournament quarterfinal round.
TV Schedule: Wednesday, March 13 at 9 pm ET on ESPN2
Location: Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC
No. 6 Syracuse basketball lost the last two games of their regular season to the ACC regular-season champion Virginia Cavaliers and Clemson Tigers. The Orange earned key wins against Ohio State, Georgetown, Duke, twice against Pittsburgh and Louisville. Their key losses came against Oregon, Buffalo, Virginia Tech, Duke, North Carolina, and Virginia.
For Syracuse basketball, the Orange were led by Third-team All-ACC player Tyus Battle (17.2 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.5 APG), Elijah Hughes (13.4 PPG, 4.4 RPG) and Oshae Brissett (12.6 PPG, 7.5 RPG) this season. Battle’s best game came against the Duke Blue Devils when they were No.1 and lost to the Orange 95-91 in overtime. Battle went off on the Blue Devils defense for 32 points, four assists, and four rebounds. Zion Williamson scored a game-best 35 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks.
No. 14 Pittsburgh basketball won their senior night season finale against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 56-53. The Panthers earned key wins against Louisville, Florida State, and Notre Dame. After that January 14 victory over the Seminoles, the Panthers lost 13 straight games to Duke, Virginia Tech, Miami and more.
Pittsburgh basketball lost both meetings to the Orange by about 10 points. In the January matchup, Battle scored 22 points and Pittsburgh’s All-ACC Freshmen team selection Xavier Johnson scored 17 points to go along with seven rebounds, and three assists. He also was responsible for a team-leading six turnovers. His teammates Jared Wilson-Frame and Trey McGowens have played really well this season also. These three guys are going to be the deciding factor in whether Pittsburgh basketball moves on to play Duke.
In their 80-70 victory over the Boston College Eagles last night, McGowens and Johnson, both scored over 20 points and the Panthers owned the Eagles in points in the paint 42-18 and fastbreak points 36-20. The Panthers struggled to score early on in the first half but pulled away from the Eagles with four minutes left thanks to their defense.
Pittsburgh basketball will beat Syracuse basketball if they can be physical in the paint, drive to the basket early and often to draw fouls and make them run up and down the court on the fast break.
Pittsburgh wants revenge in looking to upset Syracuse in this game. Facing Duke would be a huge opportunity to overcome for their seniors. Syracuse on the other hand, already beat Duke once. So this game comes down to who wants Duke more.
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