Panthers Set to Challenge Orange at JMA Wireless Dome
As the Pittsburgh Panthers prepare to face off against the Syracuse Orange, fans are cautiously optimistic despite recent setbacks. The Panthers' performance has been a mixed bag, with their last game on February 11 against the North Carolina State Wolfpack ending in a disappointing 47-83 loss. The statistics from that game paint a grim picture: PITT only managed a 30 percent field goal percentage and an even more concerning 13 percent from beyond the arc.
However, it's not all doom and gloom for PITT supporters. Looking back at their February 9 encounter with Florida State Seminoles, where they scored 60 points against FSU's 76, there were signs of life. They improved their two-point field goal percentage to 44 percent and had a stronger presence in the paint with 40 points.
The Panthers have shown they can adjust and improve; however, consistency is key. Their assists-to-turnover ratio against FSU was exactly one – not outstanding but indicative of better ball control than seen in previous outings.
Against Notre Dame Fighting Irish on February 4, PITT scored just over half of ND's total points (53-78), again struggling with accuracy from both inside (39 percent) and outside (13 percent) the three-point line. Yet they fought hard on rebounds totaling at an impressive count of 47.
What does this mean for their upcoming clash? Syracuse Orange will be playing host at JMA Wireless Dome on February 25th – an advantage that cannot be overlooked. But if PITT can harness their ability to bounce back as seen between games earlier this month and focus on improving shooting accuracy while maintaining defensive tenacity, they could very well upset SYR on their home court.
The scheduled tip-off is set for 2:00 PM Eastern Time in Syracuse, New York. Fans unable to make it to NY can catch all the action live via internet broadcast on ACC Network Extra. This matchup promises to be an intriguing one as Pittsburgh Panthers look to defy expectations and showcase their resilience once more.