I get the feeling no one really knows what is going to happen on Saturday in the game. The Post-Gazette’s only Pitt article focuses on the fact that Coach Dixon has cut the minutes for the bench players in favor of playing the starters more, now that the Big East portion of the schedule has begun. Shocking. The competition gets better and Pitt opts to play the guys who are the best players more.
The Tribune-Review looks back at the thriller in the Carrier Dome from last year — especially the bizarre events in the last second of the game. Pitt lost that game 67-65, and many ‘Cuse faithful saw that game as the turning point in the season.
It seems Syracuse point guard, Gerry McNamara, who injured his groin earlier in the week is feeling better (via Orange Juice). Whether he plays, plays limited or sits is still unknown.
When McNamara struggles offensively, so has Syracuse. In SU’s seven losses since the start of last season, the 6-foot-2 guard is averaging 13 points on 34.5 percent shooting from the field and 30.2-percent shooting from the 3-point line.
In SU’s 43 wins, he’s scoring 14.7 points on 41.8 percent shooting from the field and 38.6 percent from beyond the 3-point arc.
Though McNamara has had no serious injuries in his first 50 games in Syracuse, he is a guard who is typically fighting through nagging injuries, many as a result from his hustle and dives to the floor.
I expect he will play.
Orangenation has an absolutely stellar analysis of the match-up. I’m not sure what I can add to this look at the 88th meeting between Pitt and Syracuse.
Judging by what I’m reading, though, if McNamara has a bad game, the fans don’t feel good about their chances. Given that McNamara, at best, will still be feeling a little tender Pitt should probably look to keep a body on him at all time, and maybe see about running him through a few screens at the other end. I’m feeling a little wishy-washy, though, and can’t help but think that Syracuse might have started preparing for the game with the assumption that McNamara wouldn’t play (or would be very limited). It’s not like he’s their only weapon. I have no clue how this game will turn out.
