Syracuse Orangemen at Pittsburgh Panthers 2011 NCAA Basketball Preview, Odds, and Predictions: Head Basketball coach Jim Boeheim will take his undefeated No. 4 Syracuse Orangemen on the road to Petersen Events Center to take on No. 5 Pittsburgh Panthers in a Big East showdown on Monday night at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN. The Orange enter the game one of four remaining perfect records in Division I at 18-0 first in the Big East while the Panthers come in at 17-1 also a perfect 5-0 tied for 1st in the Big East. Pittsburgh is an incredible 50-1 at home dating back to February of 2008 and with a home victory over Seton Hall head basketball coach Jamie Dixon and the Panthers were looking toward the showdown with the Orangemen.
“Obviously they’re good, but we pretty much know what we’re going to get from them knowing their returning players and knowing what they’ve done year-after-year,” he said. “There’s a lot of hype about it. I’m looking forward to it.” “It is definitely a true away game,” Syracuse sophomore guard Brandon Triche said. “I don’t expect to see too much orange in the stands. Blue and gold will be in full effect. I’ve heard Pittsburgh is one of the toughest places to play in the country. I haven’t experienced anything like that yet. Definitely going to be a great test for us.” The odds makers at JustBET have the Pittsburgh Panthers a -6 point favorite at home against the Syracuse Orangemen.
Syracuse is coming off a victory 67-52 at home over the Cincinnati Bearcats and are only 5-9 ATS for the season. Forward Rick Jackson led the Orange in scoring with 15 points 11 rebounds and 3 assists while guards Scoop Jardine and Brandon Triche scored 11 apiece. Leading scorer Kris Joseph scored just 2 points before injuring his head on a drive to the basket and will miss the Pitt game. Syracuse is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh. Vegas odds makers have the Syracuse Orangemen +2000 to win the 2011 NCAA Championship.
Pittsburgh is coming off another home victory 74-53 over Seton Hall and is at 6-6 ATS for the season. Center Gary McGhee led the Panthers with 13 points and 10 rebounds while forward Talib Zanna came off the bench to score 10 points and pull down 4 boards. Pittsburgh is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Syracuse and the total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh’s last 6 games when playing at home against Syracuse.
I predict a Pitt Victory at home!
Note: Rich Fritz is a Blog Writer on NSAwins.com and not a pro handicapper. For expert NFL Football Predictions against the Vegas spreads please visit the NSAwins.com homepage for top predictions today from the National Sports Advisors.