Beat writers forecast Syracuse to squeeze by Pittsburgh in 1st game since self-imposing postseason ban
Rakeem Christmas won't be playing in the postseason, but Syracuse's season still marches on against Pittsburgh. Our beat writers all predicted SU to come out on top on Saturday. Chase Gaewski | Staff Photographer
Phil D’Abbraccio (18-4): Syracuse 62, Pittsburgh 60
Out of the Pitt
A lot can happen over the next month. Syracuse could very easily crumble and walk away from this season with its head down. A long line of superior Atlantic Coast Conference teams await their chance to play an Orange team that has nothing to play for except pride. But I’m inclined to think that’s more than enough to motivate SU. This isn’t Rakeem Christmas’ or Trevor Cooney’s first time playing on a team that’s garnered headlines off the court. I fully expect them and the Orange to scratch and claw their way out of this season the same way they would’ve if an NCAA Tournament berth was on the line. And the first team in its way is Pittsburgh.
Jesse Dougherty (18-4): Syracuse 68, Pittsburgh 62
Out of time
Syracuse has had a month and change to win a significant, or even semi-significant, conference win, and will finally do so after announcing a self-imposed postseason ban on Wednesday. It’s not that Pittsburgh is a top-flight ACC team, but it will be the Orange’s best conference win after playing most of the league’s low-run teams, and it’s as painful as it is impressive. The Panthers will have trouble containing Christmas — sorry if you’ve heard that before — and Michael Gbinije carries an offensive swagger over from SU’s win over Virginia Tech, in which he hit the game-winner with the clock winding down.
Jacob Klinger (19-3): Syracuse 67, Pittsburgh 62
Pitt-y the fool
This is really all gut feeling. For the first time all season, an uncharacteristically tight Syracuse team has nothing to lose, and won’t as SU’s younger options loosen up and contribute. Pittsburgh’s coming off the emotional high of upsetting Notre Dame followed by a narrow win over a Bryant team that isn’t good. There’s also just a weird feel in the arena.
