Pittsburgh at Syracuse Expert NCAA Basketball Picks 1/19/2019

Saturday, January 19, 2019

Carrier Dome

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Pittsburgh Panthers travel to Carrier Dome to play the Syracuse Orange on Saturday, January 19, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Syracuse as 8 point favorites.

Pittsburgh comes into this game with an overall record of 12-5. They currently have a point differential of 10.7 as they are averaging 77.1 points per game while giving up 66.4 per contest. Syracuse has an overall mark of 12-5. They are averaging 71.6 points per contest and giving up 63.4, which is a point differential of 8.2.

Valuable Pittsburgh Panthers Betting Trends

The Pittsburgh Panthers are 13-4-0 against the spread

The Pittsburgh Panthers are 7-10-0 against the over/under

Important Syracuse Orange Betting Trends

The Syracuse Orange are 9-8-0 against the spread

The Syracuse Orange are 7-10-0 against the over/under

Key Pittsburgh Panthers Injuries

12/14/18 C Peace Ilegomah Transferred is out for season

Key Syracuse Orange Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Trey McGowens averages 14.4 points per game in 28.4 minutes per contest. He averages 2.1 assists per contest and 3.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 46% for the year while his free throw percentage is 79%. Xavier Johnson comes into this contest averaging 17.1 points per game while playing 28.5 minutes per night. He pulls down 3.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is at 84%.

Player Spotlight

Elijah Hughes averages 15.3 points per game and he sees the court an average of 33.2 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.8 rebounds per contest and 1.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 76%. Tyus Battle averages 18.0 points per game while playing 36.3 minutes per contest. He grabs 3.1 rebounds per game and has 1.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 81%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Panthers allow 66.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 53rd in Division 1. They also allow a 39% shooting percentage and a 28% average from behind the arc, ranking them 13th and 7th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 37.5 rebounds a game which ranks 291st, and they give up 13.1 assists per contest which puts them in 190th place in the NCAA. They force 16.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 326th in the nation. Pittsburgh averages 77.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 99th in the country. Their average scoring margin is 10.7 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 161st. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 193rd in D-1. They average 38.2 rebounds per game and 13.1 assists per contest, which ranks them 76th and 211th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 110th with 14.2 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Orange surrender 63.4 points per contest, which ranks them 21st in the NCAA. Their defense allows a 39% shooting percentage and a 30% average from 3-point range, ranking them 19th and 31st in those defensive statistics. They rank 271st with 14.6 assists allowed per contest, and 245th with 36.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Orange are 307th in Division 1 in forcing turnovers with 16.1 per game. Syracuse is 236th in the country with 71.6 points per game this year. They are 280th in the D-1 in shooting at 42%, while their average scoring margin is 8.2. They shoot 30% from 3-point range, which is good for 322nd in the nation. They are 99th in the country in rebounding with 37.6 boards per game and 262nd in assists per contest with 12.5. The Orange are 269th in turnovers per game with 12.3.

Advanced Statistics

The Panthers are 140th in the nation in offensive rating with 105.8. In terms of pace they are 83rd in the country with 72.3 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 196th. As a team they are 128th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 280th in Division 1. Pittsburgh is 124th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Syracuse is 259th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.3 times per 100 possessions. The Orange are 175th in the country in offensive rating with 104.2. In terms of pace they are 271st in Division 1 with 68.3 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 49% is 281st. As a team they are 257th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shots, ranking 100th in the nation.

Who will win tonight's Pittsburgh/Syracuse college basketball game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Syracuse -8

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink