Syracuse snapped a three-game losing streak, downing Pitt, 77-61. Here are some quick thoughts on the game:
- With both teams struggling to score and lots of whistles (field goals barely outnumbered fouls in the game, 43-39), it was a lifeless night in the Dome. Only Buddy Boeheim’s early hot three-point shooting stretch and the occasional dunk drew significant interest from the crowd.
- Jimmy Boeheim and Jesse Edwards were both very effective inside the restricted area. The duo combined to make 9-of-12 shots in that space. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, missed seven lay-ups on the night.
- Despite coming into the game making just 30.9 percent from three, the Panthers went 5-for-12 in the opening half from outside, including 5-of-6 in the last ten minutes of the session. They did not hit again from deep until they were down 20 late in the game.
- Symir Torrence got some extended playing time, as Joe Girard picked up his fourth foul with over 12 minutes left. Torrence was a bit of a mixed bag, scoring five points and handing out an assist while turning the ball over twice.
- After giving up five offensive rebounds in the opening eight minutes and change, SU buckled down, giving up seven boards on that end the rest of the way. That strong inside play carried over to points in the paint, where the Orange doubled up their guests, 32-16.
- Jimmy Boeheim had a beautiful pass on his brother’s fifth triple in the second half. It makes one wonder how much more his passing could open things up if he wasn’t primarily utilized to pull attention away from the perimeter with his work from 15 feet and in.
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- The Orange will reach the midpoint of their current three-game homestand with a return match against Florida State on Saturday. The Seminoles (8-5, 2-2 before Tuesday night against Miami) dropped a 63-60 contest at home to SU in the ACC opener between the two teams, as they struggled with perimeter shooting throughout, finishing 4-for-30 from three-point range in the game.
- Caleb Mills, who leads the team with 13.2 points per game on the season, led the way for FSU in that first matchup with 16 points. Malik Osborne, who is second in scoring and tops the ‘Noles in rebounding, added ten points and eight boards. Joe Girard III and Cole Swider paced four Syracuse players in double figures with 16 points apiece, Swider also collecting ten rebounds.
- ESPN will televise the second matchup between the two teams, which is set for a 3:00pm tip-off on Saturday.
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