Syracuse orange at Pittsburgh panthers Live Tv
Petersen Events Center, Pittsburgh, PA
Monday, January 17, 2011.
7:30 PM Easter Time ,
Coverage: ESPN Tv
Petersen Events Center, Pittsburgh, PA
Monday, January 17, 2011.
7:30 PM Easter Time ,
Coverage: ESPN Tv
Then the denizens of the Oakland Zoo; otherwise known as the Pittsburgh student section, could all start waving Terrible Towels.
Even if the New England Patriots decide not to show up, the Petersen Events Center will still be the focus of the college basketball universe tonight. The game, already a sellout, will be televised as part of ESPN’s Big Monday schedule.
“I think that’s going to be a heck of a battle,’’ Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard said after his club’s loss to Pitt on Saturday night. “I’m looking forward to watching TV Monday night.’’
By the time the two teams tip off, Syracuse (18-0 overall, 5-0 in the Big East) figures to move up to No. 3 in the country. Pittsburgh (17-1, 5-0) will be no lower than fifth and could jump ahead of Duke to the fourth spot in the polls.
“This is what you come to Syracuse for,’’ Jardine, Syracuse’s junior point guard, said. “It’s what you want to play college basketball for. To go down there and Pitt don’t lose down there. Just to be a part of something like that. And just go down there and compete.’’
Syracuse will be without leading scorer Kris Joseph. On a drive to the basket in the first half of the Orange’s win over Cincinnati on Saturday, Joseph fell and hit his head hard on the floor. He missed the remainder of the game and was reportedly suffering from headaches after the game.
Joseph did not travel to Pittsburgh with the rest of the Orange on Sunday.
Without Joseph, Boeheim figures to turn to James Southerland, a sophomore who has not started a game at Syracuse, with freshman C.J. Fair getting more minutes off the bench.
“Nothing changes,’’ Jardine said on the impact of Joseph’s absence. “We’ve got guys that can step in. Nothing changes. We’re going to play the way we play and Coach is going to coach the way he coaches.’’
The clash between Pittsburgh and Syracuse will carry historical significance.
Syracuse last faced a Top 5-ranked team in the championship game of the 2009 Big East Tournament when the Orange lost to No. 5 Louisville. That was just two days after Syracuse beat 3rd-ranked Connecticut in the 6-overtime epic.
The last time a Top 5 Syracuse team played a Top 5 opponent was in the 2004-05 season when No. 5 Oklahoma State defeated No. 4 Syracuse 74-60 at Madison Square Garden.
But the Syracuse players might not want to hear about history when it comes to Pittsburgh. The Panthers have owned Syracuse for the past decade.
Since the start of the 2001-02 season, Pitt is 11-3 against Syracuse. The Panthers have won the last seven regular season meetings with the Orange. Syracuse’s only win over Pitt in the last five years came in the championship game of the 2006 Big East Tournament – aka the Gerry McNamara McMiracle run.
No current Syracuse player has ever beaten Pittsburgh.
“We have a great zone offense,’’ Pitt senior Brad Wanamaker said of his team’s success against Syracuse. “I feel as though we pass the ball a lot. We rank well against their defense. We attack it, too. We get in the paint and find open guys. We do good rebounding out of it, too. I think it’s just us attacking their zone and giving them different looks, whether it’s hitting open shots from outside or getting in the lane and getting easy baskets.’’
This year, though, Syracuse and Pittsburgh are playing against their stereotypes. Syracuse, known for its high-flying transition offense, is scoring less than Pittsburgh – 75.5 points per game to Pitt’s 80.2.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh, noted for its hard-hat and lunch-bucket style and dedication to defense, is giving up 62.6 points per game while Syracuse is holding opponents to 59.3.
Pittsburgh ranks third in the Big East in field goal percentage, but Syracuse leads the conference in field goal percentage defense. Pittsburgh leads the Big East in 3-point shooting. Syracuse tops the conference in defending the three.
The one constant remains Pittsburgh’s excellence on the boards. The Panthers lead the Big East in rebounds per game and rebounding margin.
“They lead the Big East in rebounds,’’ SU freshman center Fab Melo said, “so we have to go in and be mentally and physically tough.’’
Melo, coming off a solid performance on Saturday against Cincinnati, will be pitted against Pitt’s Gary McGhee, a 6-11, 250-pound senior. Melo said he’s ready for the matchup after tangling with teammate Rick Jackson everyday in practice.
“He’s a really strong guy, but I’m ready,’’ Melo said. “I’ve played against strong guys. I play against Rick everyday. He’s really strong, too.’’
While tonight’s game is highly anticipated, it’s just the second of three straight games Syracuse will play against ranked opponents. Syracuse’s next game is against No. 7 Villanova on Saturday at the Carrier Dome. Still, this one has all the hype of a championship bout between two heavyweights.
Maybe that’s why Jardine used boxing parlance to describe the Orange’s task tonight.
“They’re aggressive, one of the most aggressive teams in the Big East,’’ Jardine said. “If they punch us in our mouths, we gotta punch them right back. Play hard. Just like them.’’
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