GAME NOTES: The Pittsburgh Panthers and Syracuse Orange are set to collide in a Big East Conference showdown from the Carrier Dome. Pitt reached the 20-win plateau on Wednesday with a 73-67 triumph over Cincinnati. The victory could not have come at a better time for the Panthers, as they had lost three consecutive decisions heading into the contest. At 20-8 overall and 8-7 in league play, Pitt appears to be on the bubble so the speak in regard to the NCAA Tournament, so a strong finish to the regular season is an absolute must. Syracuse is 17-11 overall but just 7-8 versus Big East opposition, not surprising considering the team's youth. The Orange have lost their last two outings, including a 94-87 setback against a ranked Notre Dame squad on Sunday. Syracuse owns a 62-33 lead in the all-time series with Pittsburgh.

Sam Young continues to lead Pittsburgh in scoring, as he is netting 18.1 ppg on 50.7 percent shooting from the floor. Young is a 41 percent shooter from three- point range, and he is pulling down 6.5 rpg to go along with 26 blocks and 28 steals, proof of his versatility. DeJuan Blair has proven to be a force in the paint, as he is scoring 12.2 ppg on 52.7 percent field goal efficiency while racking up 9.6 rpg and 33 blocks. Blair also has a team-high 51 steals to his credit, a high total of a big man. The Panthers are netting 73.8 ppg through 28 contests, and they are limiting the opposition to 64.0 ppg. Young scored 20 points for Pitt in Wednesday's win over Cincinnati. Blair added 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Keith Benjamin pitched in 11 points. The Panthers committed only six turnovers in the clash, key to victory.

In the loss to Notre Dame on Sunday, four of the five starters for Syracuse scored in double figures. Paul Harris led the way with 22 points, and he also pulled down 12 rebounds to go along with three steals. Arinze Onuaku pitched in 19 points and 12 rebounds, and Jonny Flynn added 17 points and six assists. As for Kristof Ongenart, he contributed 11 points. Syracuse had 20 assists against only 11 turnovers in the clash, and a 51-33 rebounding advantage was tremendously impressive. Unfortunately, the Orange simply did not defend well enough, as Notre Dame was able to connect on 54.7 percent of its field goal attempts, including a 14-of-25 effort from three-point range.

Give the edge to the home team in what should be a close game from start to finish. Greene, Harris and Flynn will lead the Orange to victory.