Winning Streaks On The Line At The Pete
PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) - The Syracuse vs. Pitt showdown tonight at the Petersen Events Center will determine first place in the Big East conference and end a winning streak for one team.
Since February of 2008, the Panthers have only lost one game at home when they fell to Georgetown last January. After that loss, the Panthers went on to win 19 straight games by an average of 19.9 points. Pitt enters tonight's game with a record of 50-1 at the Pete.
Likewise, Syracuse goes into the match with an 18-0 record. The team is just one win away from matching their best start in school history set in the 1999-2000 season.
It's not going to be easy for the Orange, though. Syracuse lost five of their last six games at the Pete; and lost seven straight games against Pitt in the regular season.
Pitt has also won eight straight at home against teams ranked in the top five of the AP poll. A win for Pitt would give them a perfect 6-0 start in the Big East for first time in school history.
Last season Pitt beat Syracuse at the Carrier Dome 82-72, to end SU's 13 game winning streak to open the season.
Since the 2001 season, Pitt is 12-3 against Syracuse. Each of those Panther losses have been by four points or less.
Head coach Jamie Dixon has an 8-2 record against Syracuse since taking over the position 8 years ago.
