Time for Syracuse to sink or swim, starting with visiting Panthers

Saturday, March 1, 2008
Noon, Syracuse, NY
Carrier Dome

Time is running out on the Syracuse Orangemen. Once again, it’s the same song, just a different quarter in the jukebox. The Orange were in a similar situation last year: up-and-down year, found themselves on the bubble, only to have their bubble burst on Selection Sunday. With a week left in the regular season of the Big East, it’s do or die for Syracuse.

With three games remaining on the slate, if Syracuse (17-11, 7-8) can find a way to win two of their final three, they’ll be given a long, hard look at. But those crucial two victories won’t be easy to come by. It’ll help two of their last three will be at home, where Syracuse is 13-4 and 5-2 against Big East opponents. It won’t help, however, that those two home clashes will be against Pittsburgh and No.21 Marquette on the final day of the season next weekend.

Syracuse has posted quality wins over the Big East leading Hoyas of Georgetown and Villanova, along with a win over fellow bubble-mate St. Joe’s. But against Big East big boys Louisville, Georgetown, Notre Dame, and UConn, the Orange are just 1-4. Syracuse has lost four of their last five, and as of now, that upset loss to South Florida in Orlando is a killer.

Pittsburgh enters the Carrier Dome at 20-8 overall, 8-7 in Big East play. The Panthers have won their last three trips to Syracuse, most recently, a 74-66 victory last year. Pittsburgh rebounded off the difficult two-point loss to Louisville last Sunday, with a 73-67 on Tuesday night over Cincinnati. The Panthers have welcomed back starting point guard Levance Fields, while head coach Jamie Dixon and company are looking to recapture their early season magic in the latter stages of the season.

Forward Sam Young has charged to the forefront as the go-to-guy for the Panthers. Young, along with freshman forward DeJuan Blair, helped Pittsburgh end a three-game skid, dropping 20 points against Cincinnati. Young scored at least 20 points for the third consecutive time and is third in scoring in the Big East, averaging just over 18 points per game (18.1). Pittsburgh has taken exceptional care of the basketball lately, turning the ball over a combined 10 times in the last two games (four in the loss to Louisville, six in the win over Cincy).

The Panthers are tied for seventh, along with Cincinnati, in the Big East at 8-7, but a loss to Syracuse would pull both the Panthers and Orange even at 8-8 apiece in the standings. Paul Harris, Jonny Flynn and Donte Greene will pose a threat to the Panthers’ defense. All three players average over 15 points per game (Harris- 15.9, Flynn- 15.8, and Greene- 15.7). Flynn leads the Big East in minutes played (39.07), Harris ranks third (37.40).

If Syracuse is unable to come up with two, if not three wins in the final three games of the season, more than likely, the Orange will have to channel the spirit of former star guard Gerry McNamara. In 2005-06, Syracuse finished with a losing record in the Big East during the regular season, but an improbable run spear headed by McNamara, saw Syracuse win three games in three days, culminating in a Big East Tournament title and an automatic berth into the NCAA Finals. The Orange will likely need a similar run, and outcome in the Big East tournament if Syracuse falters in their final three games.

by Frank Minniti
BigEast-fans.com Director of Content

> More Big East basketball news & headlines

> Follow the Big East Basketball Tournament online with Big East Fans!