Syracuse Basketball: What ‘Cuse must do to defeat Pittsburgh at home

Syracuse basketball (8-4 overall, 1-0 in the ACC) is back at the JMA Wireless Dome on Tuesday as the Orange hosts the Pittsburgh Panthers (8-4 overall, 1-0 in the ACC) in Atlantic Coast Conference action at 9 pm eastern time on ESPNU.

The Orange is coming off a 78-63 win in its last game against the Cornell Big Red and is currently on a five-game winning streak. Syracuse basketball continues to show improvement from the beginning of the 2022-23 season.

The Syracuse basketball player to watch and keys for the Orange to beat Pittsburgh at home.

Player to Watch

Senior shooting guard Joseph Girard will be the player to watch for, as he led this Orange team with 19 points and four assists last game against Cornell and continues to be the player who Syracuse can rely on.

His ability to hit the long-range three, find the open man to make the big plays, and make the most when at the free throw line, makes him a threat for most opponents to handle.

He will need to be locked in from behind the arc, make the most of his free throws, and make plays if he wants to lead the Orange against the Panther defense.

Keys to the Game

1. Rebound The Basketball– Syracuse basketball needs to find a way to fight for every rebound. Whether it’s on the offensive or defensive end, the Orange needs to attack the glass. The Orange fell short against Cornell on the offensive rebounds, only getting nine boards on offense, and this number will need to improve against the Panthers.
2. Limit Turnovers– The Orange had a total of 13 turnovers last game against Cornell, one short of what the Big Red had. Syracuse will need to value every possession, make smart passes that are easy and fast, and not force any passes in tight situations.
3. Start Off Hot– The Syracuse Orange needs to start off hot in this game against the Pittsburgh Panthers, as the ‘Cuse needs to come out firing, make plays on both ends of the court, and force Pittsburgh into making mistakes. The Orange roster needs to get off to a fast start and hold the lead throughout the game.

Prediction

The Syracuse Orange is currently on a five-game winning streak and is looking to keep momentum on its side, as the ‘Cuse gets ready to take on an ACC opponent that is looking for an upset in the Pittsburgh Panthers. The Orange will walk out with a 78-60 win in the Dome.