NFL Tickets
TV Schedule: Saturday, Feb. 20, 2:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Arena: Carrier Dome, Syracuse, NY
Things are heating up in the ACC with just four games remaining in the regular season. Nine teams still have some chance of winning at least a share of the ACC regular season title, including the Syracuse Orange.
The Orange are currently considered on the bubble in most bracket predictions, meaning that they desperately need to finish the season strong if they want to avoid needing to win several games in the ACC tournament. Thankfully, next up for Syracuse is an opportunity for them to do just that, as the Pittsburgh Panthers come to the Carrier Dome on Saturday afternoon.
Pittsburgh might not be thought of as a bubble team by many, but with 18 wins on the season they could easily solidify their place with a strong finish to the season. The Panthers defeated the Orange by 11 earlier in the season at home, meaning that they should head into this one full of confidence that they can knock off Syracuse at the Carrier Dome.
That being said, Pittsburgh looks much more like an NIT team than an NCAA tournament team. While Syracuse is currently streaking with five wins in their last seven, the Panthers are struggling with just four wins in their last ten. Momentum is a huge part of winning on the road, and momentum is definitely not on Pittsburgh’s side.
Syracuse looks primed for a late push to make it into the Big Dance, and I just do not see the Panthers pulling off the upset on the road. The Orange pull away late and remain in the NCAA tournament picture.
Prediction: Syracuse 70, Pittsburgh 62
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