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Syracuse’s next three games are against the three remaining Atlantic Coast Conference teams without a conference win yet. With contests versus lowly Florida State and Boston College looming next week, the Orange first take on a more feisty Pittsburgh squad Saturday in their second true road game of 2025-26.

Last time on the floor, SU defeated Georgia Tech 82-72 on the road Tuesday behind a career-high 27 points from star forward Donnie Freeman. Despite nearly squandering a 20-point second-half lead — the Yellow Jackets made it a six-point game late — the Orange’s season-best 44-point first half was too commanding for GT to come back from.

Time will tell if Syracuse can deliver another solid offensive outing against the Panthers, one of SU’s oldest rivals. Here’s how our beat writers think Syracuse (10-5, 1-1 ACC) will fare on the road against Pitt (7-8, 0-2 ACC) Saturday in the Petersen Events Center:

Aiden Stepansky (11-4)
Steel City success
Syracuse 74, Pitt 68

When looking at this game over the last few weeks, I couldn’t help but build up the possible scenario of the Pittsburgh Steelers hosting a playoff game on the same day. While I’m thrilled to see Aaron Rodgers’ legendary career continue at least one more week, I’m even happier that it will continue on Monday, not Saturday. Traffic sucks.

Anyway, Syracuse should be able to storm past the Panthers and enjoy some Wild-Card weekend action later in the evening. SU proved it does have some offensive capabilities, believe it or not, against Georgia Tech. The Orange offered a hint of fluidity, and Freeman looks more and more like an All-ACC player each game he plays.

Pitt did have an entire week to prepare for Syracuse, but I don’t think it’ll have the size to keep up with Freeman and William Kyle III inside. Cameron Corhen is a strong presence, though the Panthers have shown an inability to deter inside scorers, blocking only 3.33 shots per game — less than half of SU’s 7.1 average.

There’s nothing special about Pitt, as proven by its two ACC losses to Miami and Clemson. These are the games that should be cakewalks for the Orange if they truly are a team bound for March Madness. It won’t be a walk in the park, but Syracuse shouldn’t have too much trouble.

Cooper Andrews (12-3)
Victory Primanti Bros.
Syracuse 77, Pitt 62

If you know me, you know I like to eat. And the great city of Pittsburgh has one of America’s greatest delicacies — famous hot sandwiches from Primanti Bros. topped with french fries. I will certainly be getting a sandwich with french fries slathered onto it, but will the Orange?

After Syracuse handily beats Pitt on Saturday, Adrian Autry better have some victory sandwiches ready for his team. The Orange should successfully ride Freeman’s hot hand to another quality offensive showing while relying on Kyle to contain Corhen down low.

From the second half of its New Year’s Eve game against Clemson on, Syracuse’s offense looks ridiculously different than it has for much of Autry’s third year at the helm. Freeman allows SU to space the floor well, and his 35% 3-point shooting clip has added a new layer to his already versatile play style. Both those things will show face in Pittsburgh this weekend.

Then there’s stopping Corhen, who hasn’t matched up with a shot blocker quite like Kyle this season. Kyle will prove why he leads the nation with 3.1 blocks per game and reject Corhen at the rim enough to deter Pitt’s center from taking over the game offensively. The Panthers will have to count on their efficiency from beyond the arc (35.9% on 3s) to carry them. But it won’t.

Justin Girshon (11-4)
Like the old days
Syracuse 70, Pitt 69

Back in the early ACC years and their time in the Big East, the Orange and the Panthers facing off used to mean something. The programs were perennially two of the best in the country, which helped shape one of the better rivalries in the sport.

Fast forward to the present day, and both SU and Pitt suffered upset home losses this season to Hofstra. It’s safe to say these programs are no longer what they used to be — at least at this moment. However, I do think this game will be similar to the classic Syracuse-Pittsburgh battles.

The Orange are the better and more talented team, but the Panthers will be backed by the Petersen Events Center’s great home-crowd advantage. Similar to Clemson, though Pitt isn’t nearly as talented offensively, Jeff Capel’s squad plays with one of the slowest paces in the country.

This benefits Syracuse because its defense is one of the best in the country, and the style of play is more likely to permit the dogfight-like game Autry wants to play. In the end, this will be a close game throughout, but the Orange will sneak by with a one-point upset win — a little reminiscent of the old days.

Published on January 9, 2026 at 6:17 pm