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In Syracuse’s first meeting with Pittsburgh this season, it overcame a 14-point deficit to collect an 81-73 victory on Dec. 30, 2023. Led by backup guard Quadir Copeland’s 22 points, SU’s bench tallied a season-high 52 points and overcame a measly 17.6% 3-point shooting performance.

Since then, the Orange have struggled in Atlantic Coast Conference play. After playing Pitt, Syracuse suffered blowout defeats at Duke and North Carolina — results which overshadowed a 69-59 win over Boston College. Against the Tar Heels, SU fell 103-67, marking the program’s worst-ever ACC loss.

Seeking a much-needed bounce-back, SU kept in stride with Pitt across the opening 10 minutes before catching fire from deep. Notching six 3s on 11 attempts, Syracuse garnered a 37-26 lead at halftime.

Extending their streaky shooting into the second half, the Orange achieved a 40-26 lead soon after the break and Pittsburgh failed to find a response. J.J. Starling tallied a team-high 17 points to lead three double-digit Syracuse scorers and the Orange managed a season-best 58.8% mark from range.

Here are a few observations from SU’s (12-5, 3-3 ACC) 69-58 road victory over Pittsburgh (10-7, 1-5 ACC):

Panthers command offensive glass early

Trailing forward Blake Hinson on an aggressive lefty drive, Pitt center Guillermo Diaz-Graham corralled the rebound for an uncontested put-back. Moments later, another Diaz-Graham board led to a go-ahead, and-one finish for forward Zack Austin.

The Panthers entered their home contest with Syracuse leading the ACC with 13.1 offensive rebounds per game. And in the early going, it was Pitt’s presence on the visitors’ glass that caused problems for the Orange.

After Kyle Cuffe Jr. knocked down a right-wing 3-pointer to draw SU within 20-17, a Diaz-Graham miss from 3 could’ve prompted SU to tie the game. Yet, Pitt’s Carlton Carrington crashed the boards first, skying high to collect the ball. Carrington then dished out to spur a Panthers’ offensive reset which culminated in backup point guard Ishmael Leggett fouled deep in the left corner. The Rhode Island transfer had chased down yet another long rebound.

By halftime, though trailing 37-26, Pittsburgh registered eight offensive boards to SU’s two.

Though the Panthers later increased their total to 15, charting 25 defensive rebounds total, the storyline of Pitt’s prowess on the glass grew irrelevant. SU’s near-flawless shooting numbers provided it with a 16-point lead with 10 minutes remaining. And Pittsburgh never answered.

Syracuse showcases scoring depth

Midway through the opening half at Petersen Events Center, Syracuse had already chalked six different scorers. Maliq Brown opened the outing with an easy flush inside while Chris Bell continued his streaky shooting by canning a contested, left-wing 3. Shortly after coming off the bench, Cuffe Jr. scoerd a lefty layup in the paint and Justin Taylor followed with a long 2.

Just under the 8:00 mark, Copeland entered the scoresheet. Driving in among the trees deep in the opposing paint, Copeland willed a floater in to give Syracuse a 21-20 advantage. Then, a forced 3 amid a dwindling shot clock swished through to put the Orange up 26-22.

For a team that began the season largely relying on Judah Mintz’s scoring output, SU’s recent matchups have told a different story. In five of Syracuse’s last eight games, Copeland has recorded 14-plus points. Brown notched a career-high 26 at Duke on Jan. 2. Bell has tallied 33 points in his last two contests while shooting 58% from 3. Mintz, meanwhile, continues to average 18.6 per game.

The Orange’s all-around scoring continued to dazzle after the restart. On a catch-and-shoot chance from the right wing, Starling nailed his first 3 to give SU a 40-26 cushion — its largest of the evening. Forward Benny Williams also added considerable scoring production, entailing an emphatic inside jam. He became Syracuse’s seventh 3-point scorer after hitting a spot-up, right-wing attempt which strengthened the visitors’ lead.

Carrington, Hinson struggle

In an ill-advised attempt to get going, Carrington pulled up for a transition 3 less than a minute before halftime. His shot swirled in and out, seemingly touching every piece of SU’s rim before missing. Syracuse led 36-26 and Carrington shook his head in disbelief.

At the break, Pitt’s star freshman was held to a goose egg. It wasn’t necessarily SU’s defense that barred Carrington from good looks. Open 3’s were made available. His first make was called off after he stepped out of bounds on the right sideline. Carrington just couldn’t find the mark. He ended the game with zero points.

Hinson had a hard time getting going at Syracuse in the first showdown this season. Despite averaging 18.4 points per contest, he managed just 11 on 3-of-12 shooting in the 81-73 loss. And though he started strong Tuesday, by knocking down a couple from range, the forward went inexplicably cold and finished the half with six points on an 18% clip.

Carrington’s shortcomings continued well into the second half. It spanned the remainder of Tuesday’s contest. He missed mid-range pull-ups and straight-on 3’s. He finished with a career-worst zero points.

Hinson, meanwhile, was called for a technical foul after a brief scuffle with Copeland. Following halftime, his shooting numbers continued to spiral as well. With five minutes left, Hinson had mustered just two 3-point makes on a game-high 11 attempts.

As the final buzzer sounded on a comfortable Syracuse victory, Pitt received a surprise 20-point contribution from freshman guard Jaland Lowe. Hinson finished with 12.

Published on January 16, 2024 at 9:48 pm

Contact Tyler: trschiff@syr.edu | @theTylerSchiff