A couple of old Big East rivals that moved their rivalry to the ACC. These teams know each other well so I expect a close game and Jamie Dixon has actually owned the series of late winning 6 of the last 8. There are some tendencies for each team and looking at the stats I think Pitt who is not afraid of playing at the Carrier Dome and certainly knows how to beat the 2-3 defense that Syracuse deploys.
Both teams shoot 70% + of their shots from two point range. Pitt is ranked 20th in FG% from inside while Syracuse is ranked 114th. Pitt is 31st in 2 point defense while Syracuse is 151st and there has been a slightly stronger schedule that have gotten Syracuse to those numbers, but when you look at the fact that Pitt also has an edge in rebounding %, and they are the better FT shooting team as well as the better assist to turnover ratio and the fact that Syracuse starts a true freshman at PG. I think we are looking at a game that Pitt will have a good chance to win or at least the game should come down to the wire.
I like Texas here in this spot even though Iowa State is off back to back losses. Iowa State simply relies on the three too much and they struggled the last two games which is why they lost. They are shooting just 26% on the road this year and 26% in conference play yet they want to huck up 40% of their overall shots from beyond the arch. If they change their tune at all they will be going up against Texas who is 39th in defending the two point basket. Texas also has a distinctive advantage in rebounding so I really don't expect any second chances for Iowa State if they struggle shooting from the perimeter.
