Pittsburgh Panthers at #1 Syracuse Orange
Carrier Dome – Syracuse, New York
Monday, January 16, 2011, 7:30 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN
Opening Line: Syracuse -15
Current Line: Syracuse -13
Opening Total: 138 1/2
Current Total: 136
Opening Money Line: Syracuse -1400 / Pitt +900
Current Money Line: Syracuse -1200 / Pitt +800
Syracuse and Pittsburgh are two teams going in opposite directions. Syracuse is the consensus number one team in the nation and at 19-0 overall (6-0 Big East) is one of three undefeated teams left in the country with Baylor and Missouri St. The Pitt Panthers were 11-1 on December 20th and ranked #13 in the country. However, since then the Panthers have gone into an inexplicable tailspin losing six straight games, including 0-5 in the Big East. Syracuse is the only undefeated team in conference play and Pitt is the only winless team in the Big East. This is the 100th meeting between Pitt and Syracuse. The Orange lead the series 61-38 including 33-13 in Syracuse. Pitt has dominated the series recently winning 5 straight overall and 13 of the last 16. Pitt has also beaten Syracuse 5 straight times in the Carrier Dome. The two schools will leave the Big East for the ACC within the next year or two.
Pitt is coached by Jamie Dixon. The Panthers have wins over Rider, LaSalle, Penn, Robert Morris, Duquesne, Tennessee, and Oklahoma St. Pitt has losses to Long Beach St, Wagner, Notre Dame, Cincinnati, Depaul, Rutgers, and last Saturday at Marquette 62-57.
Syracuse is coached by Jim Boeheim. The Orange have wins over Fordham, Manhattan, Albany, Colgate, Virginia Tech, Stanford, Florida, Marshall, George Washington, NC State, Bucknell, Tulane, Seton Hall, Depaul, Providence twice including 78-55 last Saturday as home, Marquette, and Villanova.
Pitt is outscoring opponents 72-66 this season. During the six game losing streak the Panthers are being outscored 68-59. The Panthers are shooting 46.2% from the field, including 34.9% from 3 point range. Pitt makes 68.8% of their free throws. The Panthers average 39.6 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of +10.9. Pitt averages 16.1 assists, 13.1 turnovers, 4.5 steals, and 3.4 blocks a game. Panther opponents are shooting 43.9% from the field including 35.1% from 3 point range. Pitt forces 10.6 turnovers a game.
Pitt guard Ashton Gibbs averages 16.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists a game. Travon Woodall averages 12.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 7.5 assists a game to lead the team. He is doubtful with an abdominal injury after missing 10 of the last 11 games. His absence has certainly hurt the Panthers as he runs the offense. No one else averages more than 3.5 assists a game for Pitt. Nasir Robinson averages 12.4 points, 6.8 rebounds to lead the team, and 2.2 assists a game. Lamar Patterson averages 8.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1 steals a game to lead the team. Dante Taylor averages 6.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks a game. Khem Birch led the team in blocks with 1.9 a game but he transferred to UNLV last week.
Syracuse is outscoring opponents 80-60 this season. The Orange are shooting 48.7% from the field including 36.1% on 3 point shots. Syracuse makes 69.9% of their free throws. The Orange average 37.1 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of +2. Syracuse averages 17.3 assists, 11.3 turnovers, 10.7 steals, and 7.6 blocks a game. Orange opponents shoot 38% from the field, including 30.7% from 3 point range. Syracuse forces 18.6 turnovers a game.
Syracuse forward Kris Joseph averages 13.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.5 steals a game. He is the leading scorer for the Orange and is shooting 39.5% from 3 point range. Dion Waiters averages 12.9 points, 1.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2.3 steals a game to lead the team. Brandon Triche averages 9.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.1 steal a game. C.J. Fair averages 8.7 points and 5.2 rebounds. Scoop Jardine averages 8.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists to lead the team, and 1.5 steals a game. James Southerland averages 7.9 points, and 3.2 rebounds a game. Fab Melo leads the team in rebounds with 5.4 and blocks with 2.8 a game.
Syracuse is 13-5 against the spread and the total is 9-8-1 this season. Pittsburgh is 4-9 ATS and the total is 5-8 this season. The Panthers are 13-3 ATS against the Orange in the last 16 meetings. Pitt is 9-2-1 ATS in Monday games, 8-2 as a road underdog, 5-2 in road games, 20-8 as an underdog, 1-5 after a straight up loss, 1-5 in Big East games, 1-6 against teams with winning records, and 1-6 overall. The Orange are 6-1 ATS in Monday games, and after a straight up win of 20 points or more, 5-1 as a favorite, after a straight up win, overall and in Big East games, 13-3 as a favorite of 13 points or more, including 10-2 at home, 4-1 against teams with winning records, and 5-2 after a cover.
Though Pittsburgh has dominated the series recently against Syracuse and has won 5 straight games in the Carrier Dome, they are simply not as dynamic on offense without Woodall. However, the Orange shouldn’t overlook this still very dangerous and talented team. I like Syracuse to win, but I think Pitt covers the 13 point number. College basketball handicappers agree with me because the line has moved from Syracuse -15 to -13.
