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Syracuse Looks for Third Straight Victory against Pittsburgh

Just days after an 81-63 rout of Boston College in the Carrier Dome, the Syracuse Orange (14-6, 3-4) will look to win their third straight when they visit the Pittsburgh Panthers (8-13, 0-8) this Saturday, January 27th at 4:00. 

This matchup will mark the 113th contest between the two teams, with Syracuse looking for its 68th victory, and a season sweep, on Saturday. The Orange split their season series with the Panthers last year, with each team emerging victorious in their home arena. 

Two weeks after escaping from their four-game losing streak, the Orange have turned it around of late, winning their last two contests in convincing fashion, and adding two essential conference victories to their already damaged resume.

After jumping out to an 8-5 record, the Panthers have run into some serious problems. They have dropped their last eight games, most recently against NC State, 68-72. This skid has landed them in the basement of the ACC, and they are the only team in the conference without a conference victory. 

A matchup against the worst team in the ACC on the road translates to a must-win situation for the Orange and their tournament hopes. 

This is easier said than done. One of the most pressing concerns for this year's Orange team, their depth, or lack thereof, suffered another setback in their last game when starting forward Matthew Moyer exited the game early in the first half after spraining his left ankle. 

Moyer has averaged just over 22 minutes per game and his injury leaves Syracuse with seven available scholarship players, including freshman center Bourama Sidibe, whose injury problems nearly forced him to medical redshirt this season.  

Syracuse versus Pittsburgh starts at 4:00pm. Countdown to Tipoff begins at 3:30pm, only on WAER, 88.3 FM.

This is as good a game as any to work out any adjustments, for Pittsburgh enters the contest ranked 337th in points per game and 142nd in points allowed. Against a struggling offensive squad with no momentum, Syracuse should look to defend their way to this win. Their suffocating zone defense has been the foundation of this team all season, and it should be more of the same on Saturday. 

The Orange hold the advantage in turnover differential and points per game, making this a great opportunity for the defense to take over. The two-headed beast that commands the top of the Orange zone will be in full force on Saturday, as both Frank Howard and Tyus Battle, Syracuse's two best offensive weapons as well, enter the contest averaging around 38 minutes per game. 

One consequence of the lack of depth has been the vulnerability to foul trouble, as showcased in the double-overtime loss to Florida State two weeks ago when three players fouled out and FSU pulled away late. With Moyer sidelined, the pressure is even greater for the starters to stay in the game.  

The increased lack of depth combined with a venue other than the Carrier Dome spells trouble for Syracuse, but if the defense can control the game early and avoid racking up the fouls, the Orange should roll to their third straight win on Saturday.