Pitt vs. Syracuse Prediction, Odds, Line, Pick, and Preview: December 20 | 2022-23 NCAAB Season
The Pittsburgh Panthers (8-4) will visit the Syracuse Orange (8-4) on Tuesday night.
Pittsburgh has been on a heater since starting the season 1-3, winning seven of eight and most recently dominating North Florida 82-56. Sophomore center Federiko "Fede" Federiko spotted a career-high 22 points in the win. Leading scorer Blake Hinson had 18 points and six rebounds on 8-of-11 shooting. Marquette transfer Greg Elliott and redshirt senior Jamarius Burton also scored in double-figures.
Unfortunately, last season's leading scorer and former top prospect, John Hugley, missed the game for personal reasons and has now missed four games for the Panthers due to various issues. If he can't go, Federiko will once again get the start at the center position.
Pitt vs. Syracuse Betting Odds
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Syracuse has also been red hot, winning five straight after starting the season 3-4. The Orange, led by senior Joseph Girard's team-high 19 points, beat Cornell 78-63 last Saturday. All five starters scored in double-figures, highlighted by Jesse Edwards' 11-point, 12-rebound double-double. Syracuse finished the game shooting 50% from the field and 38% from downtown.
ShotQuality Tale of the Tape
Below, we will highlight essential ShotQuality data for this matchup, including Adjusted Offensive and Defensive SQ, strengths, weaknesses, and frequency. SQppp is a player's average ShotQuality points per possession.
Thus, SQppp = Total SQpoints/Total No. of Possessions.
The Pittsburgh Panthers own a 1.07 AdjOFF SQ this season, suitable for 62nd in the nation. Syracuse has the 211th-best AdjDEF SQ at 1.03. Pittsburgh does well in all key stats, but open 3 rate, rim and three rate where they are in the bottom 50 in the country. Conversely, the Orange are among the country's worst teams in those key stats.
The Panthers own high-frequency numbers in the half court, P&R ball screen, catch & shoot 3PT, midrange, and post-up shot types. However, they are bottom 100 in all those shot types except half-court, with a 0.98 SQ PPP (172nd in the country). Conversely, the Orange are bottom 50 in all those categories except 49th in the midrange (0.76 SQ PPP).
The Syracuse Orange have a 1.04 AdjOFF SQ, the 114th-best mark in the country. Pittsburgh has posted a 1.01 AdjDEF SQ this season, clocking in at 172nd in the country. The Orange are in the top 100 in shot-making and rim and 3 SQ PPP. The Panthers are in the 14th percentile in defensive shot-making and excel against the rim and 3 SQ PPP.
Syracuse is in the country's top half in frequency regarding the following shot types: half-court, isolation, off-screen, off-the-dribble 3PT, and midrange. Conversely, Pittsburgh is in the bottom 50 in defending all those shot types except the half-court, where they own a 0.99 SQ PPP (267th).
Pitt vs. Syracuse Prediction
Neither team has been big on playing defense this season while being more than okay at scoring on the offensive end. John Hugley's status is up in the air for the Panthers, but Fede Federiko has been incredible during his time in the starting lineup. If Hugley can go, Pittsburgh should be flush with bigs who can score in bunches.
Syracuse oozes offensive talent, with Joseph Girard playing some of his best basketball as of late, scoring 15-plus points in five straight games. So take the over in this ACC matchup and bank on both teams to continue to struggle on offense.
Prediction: Over 138 (-110)
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