Syracuse basketball versus Pittsburgh odds, prediction and how to watch

Syracuse basketball has wrapped up its non-conference schedule in the 2022-23 season, and the Orange now reverts back to Atlantic Coast Conference play in earnest over the next few months.

In the non-conference, the ‘Cuse went 7-4 overall after the Orange picked up a solid win over Central New York neighbor Cornell over the weekend. The Big Red raced out to a double-digit lead in the first half over Syracuse basketball, but the Orange’s starting five played quite well after the intermission, propelling the ‘Cuse to a 15-point victory.

Up next for the Orange, this Tuesday night at the JMA Wireless Dome, is an ACC collision with long-time rival Pittsburgh, which also went 7-4 in its non-conference docket. Both squads are on a roll, with the ‘Cuse (8-4) having won five in a row, while the Panthers (8-4) have captured two straight.

Perhaps Pittsburgh’s best triumph to date in the 2022-23 campaign came in early December, when the Panthers went on the road and defeated fellow ACC squad N.C. State by eight points.

Syracuse basketball versus Pittsburgh odds

On Monday evening, actionnetwork.com had installed the Orange as a 3.5-point betting favorite over the Panthers, with the over/under set at 139.5 points.

Syracuse basketball versus Pittsburgh prediction

In their long series together, the Orange is 74-48 against the Panthers, per orangehoops.org. A stanza ago, Syracuse basketball and Pittsburgh split their two regular-season meetings, with each squad prevailing on its home court.

So far in 2022-23, the Panthers are scoring slightly more points per encounter than the ‘Cuse, and Pittsburgh also holds a slight edge in points allowed per game on defense. The Panthers are a good rebounding unit, averaging 40.2 boards per contest.

Syracuse basketball has done a great job in 2022-23, by and large, of picking up steals and forcing its opponents into a sizable amount of turnovers. Pittsburgh, to that end, commits 13.7 turnovers per affair. The Orange needs to win in the turnover department.

The Panthers are by no means an offensive juggernaut, as they shoot 45.1 percent from the field, 72.4 percent from the charity stripe and 34.7 percent from beyond the arc. However, Pittsburgh is typically a physical group, and it almost always plays the ‘Cuse tough.

I expect a closely fought, low-scoring game here. Given that Syracuse basketball has a ton of momentum and is hosting the Panthers in this ACC affair, I’ll go with the Orange to come out on top.

Injuries, how to watch, live stream, next game
On the injury front, I’m not aware of any significant injuries to note as the Orange eyes winning its sixth game in a row. Certainly, we’ll stay on top of this topic throughout the current term.

Syracuse basketball will face Pittsburgh beginning at 9 pm on Tuesday, Dec. 20, in Central New York. ESPNU will provide television coverage.

For Syracuse basketball and Panthers fans who want to stream this game, you can check it out on fuboTV.

After the Orange hosts Pittsburgh, the ‘Cuse will have one more game before the calendar year turns to 2023. On Saturday, Dec. 31, beginning at 2 pm, Syracuse basketball will welcome Boston College to the Dome.

The ACC Network will provide TV coverage. The Orange battling the Eagles will culminate a six-contest home stand for the ‘Cuse over the last several weeks.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.