Syracuse Basketball: Pitt Panthers (part 2) crystal ball predictions

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - JANUARY 25: Terrell Brown #21 of the Pittsburgh Panthers attempts to grab the ball as Quincy Guerrier #1 of the Syracuse Orange is called for a foul during the second half of an NCAA basketball game at the Carrier Dome on January 25, 2020 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images) /

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Paul A. Esden Jr, Site Expert (14-13)

Syracuse was in quite the rut, but now they’re working their way out of it. The last time the Orange played the Pittsburgh Panthers they were in the middle of a five-game winning streak. It’s time to get back on a record-breaking streak and who better to do it against?

In their last matchup against each other Syracuse struggled from deep (5-of-21), coughed up 13 turnovers, and Elijah Hughes had one of his worst outings of the season. He scored 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting, didn’t make a three-pointer (0-for-4), and struggled with turnovers.

This time around Elijah Hughes is on his game. In the last game, Syracuse dominated at one point leading by as many as 20 points before allowing things to become close late. This game will be a lot closer than people think, but Hughes will help Syracuse make things happen.

The key will be containing the array of weapons Pitt has in its arsenal. The Panthers have three players that average in double figures and one player is just outside of that. Syracuse’s 2-3 zone has had its fair share of ups and downs, but the interior looked solid in their last outing thanks to a solid effort from Bourama Sidibe.

Syracuse gets the series sweep with the 74-69 victory over the Panthers.

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