Just a couple articles to point out. Another recap of the game in the Tribune-Review. One of those inside the numbers type pieces. It’s pretty good. Some interesting points regarding the power forward play of Troutman and McCarroll.

Up in Syracuse, they are still feeling the after effects of losing two straight — and taking a physical beating in the process.

But they have not responded to the strength, toughness and aggression of the recent Big East Conference opponents, said Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim.

“I just think mentally we weren’t tough out there tonight,” he said after watching his team score 45 points, the fewest in his 28 seasons and 895 games. “Craig Forth is 7-foot, 260 pounds and he got pushed all around the court. Billy (Edelin) is 210 pounds.

“I don’t think it’s anything to do with the weight room (strength). I think our guys are strong enough. Missouri’s as physical as anybody. We just didn’t play physical today. We didn’t accept the physical challenge and that was it. Bottom line.”

Pittsburgh, a team known for its physical play, out-muscled Syracuse 50-36 on the boards. The Panthers outscored Syracuse 40-18 in the paint. They limited SU to a season-worst

27.3-percent shooting (15-for-55) from the field.

“We didn’t go out there and hit anybody,” said forward Hakim Warrick. “We let them come hit us and they just took it to us from the start.”

Syracuse gets a week off — well, a week of practices with those losses lingering in the background — then they get perennial bottom feeder Virginia Tech to take out a lot of aggression. Take Syracuse and give the points no matter how ridiculous the spread. Syracuse should be downright surly.

Pitt’s next opponent is Boston College, January 28. The Boston Herald‘s college basketball writer noticed.

As if things weren’t dreary enough for Boston College after it lost to a very beatable West Virginia team Saturday in Morgantown, W. Va., the Eagles’ coaches had to sit in front of the television and watch their next opponent, No. 8 Pittsburgh, dismantle No. 13 Syracuse at the Carrier Dome that same night.

On Wednesday, BC will visit the Panthers, who have won 37 straight home games, the last 31 at their new Petersen Center. The streak is the best in the nation.

I’m guessing that the crowd might be a little juiced after Pitt’s play in the last week.

Finally, the new polls will come out this evening. I expect Pitt will either rise a notch or two or stay in the same position.