Alright, all that whining and worrying about non-conference schedules ends here. Pittsburgh visits the Dome tonight in a match-up of 11-3 Syracuse and the 10th ranked 12-2 Panthers. The Orange will be without the services of freshman Mike Jones who announced his intention to transfer yesterday. The difference should be minimal, he was only playing six minutes a game anyway.
Pitt comes to Syracuse with the highest RPI in the conference and the highest ranking. Once as high as #2 a few weeks ago, the Panthers are battle-tested, their only two losses at the hands of ranked Wisconsin and Oklahoma State (whom also beat the Orange).
This is the first meeting for the two teams since Gerry's Last Stand in the Big East tournament last year, the Orange won 65-61 and claimed the conference championship. Still, the Panthers have won 8 of the last 11 meetings. Pitt center Aaron Gray leads the team in scoring (15.6), rebounding (10.9) and blocks (1.7).