Syracuse Basketball: Predictions for ACC tilt vs Pittsburgh Panthers

Neil Adler (11-6)
Prediction: Syracuse wins 72-68

The Syracuse basketball squad returns to action on Saturday afternoon, when the Orange hosts Pittsburgh in an Atlantic Coast Conference clash. SU (12-5, 3-1) is riding high after its thrilling overtime win at No. 1 Duke on Monday night, which provides the ‘Cuse with a signature success for its slightly pedestrian Big Dance resume.

The Panthers (12-5, 2-2), meanwhile, are off to a solid start under first-year head coach Jeff Capel, who previously served as a long-time assistant coach with the Blue Devils. Pitt’s most-recent game, at home versus No. 11 Florida State on Monday evening, resulted in a 75-62 triumph for the Panthers.

Pittsburgh also had an overtime conquering of Louisville on the Panthers’ own turf earlier this month. While Pitt suffered through a dreadful 2017-18 campaign, the Panthers are trending in a positive direction due to Capel’s guidance.

Statistically speaking, Pittsburgh and Syracuse are quite even in a lot of different categories, so I expect a tight contest. The Panthers are 0-3 on the road so far in the 2018-19 term, yet the Orange has already experienced defeat on three occasions at the Carrier Dome.

ESPN’s Basketball Power Index says that SU possesses an 82.8 percent chance of prevailing. Hopefully, the ‘Cuse will continue to shoot well from the field, and I foresee our boys in Orange besting Pitt by a count of 72-68.