Pitt Basketball
Five Things to Know Before Pitt at Boston College, Spread, Betting Line
Previously scheduled for Saturday, Pitt basketball is in action against Boston College Sunday due to major weather concerns in the upper Northeast portion of the country.
Both teams are 3-6 in the ACC situated with Clemson and Syracuse occupying the 9-12 spots in the conference. Pitt narrowly defeated Boston College 69-67 on Jan. 8.
Here are five things to know ahead of Pitt’s (8-12, 3-6 ACC) second matchup against the Boston College Eagles (8-11, 3-6).
Last Time Out
The Panthers secured a 64-53 victory at the Petersen Events Center Tuesday against rival Syracuse. It marked the rematch of an earlier contest at the Carrier Dome when Pitt was stomped 77-61.
The Panthers relied on 21 points from Jamarius Burton, 17 in the second half, and outshot the Orange especially at the free-throw line. Mouhamadou Gueye and John Hugley both recorded double-doubles including 28 total rebounds, 18 credited to Hugley. Pitt exploited the Syracuse zone resulting in four players scoring in double figures.
Pitt narrowly defeated Boston College at home on the backs of 32 points and 13 rebounds from Hugley. The Panthers lost the turnover battle 16-10 but out- rebounded BC 35-26. Boston College had a chance to tie it in the final seconds but Makai Ashton-Langford could not convert. He finished with 23 points on the day. Pitt looks to control the boards once again and feed Hugley on the low block with the chance now to kick out to Ithiel Horton to spread the floor.
Horton to Help
Ithiel Horton was officially reinstated to the Pitt basketball program Wednesday after his four felony charges were reduced. The charges became two counts of disorderly conduct and one count of public intoxication. Horton’s case is now closed.
The dynamic guard played in one game this season for the Panthers on Jan. 5 on the road against Louisville. Horton scored 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting in 28 minutes. He also collected three triples on five attempts because being placed back on suspension before the charges were resolved.
Horton is the type of long-range shooter Pitt can take advantage of on a team lacking pure shooters. The strength of Hugley and Gueye inside has a kick-out option to Horton and strengthens the Panthers overall attack. It didn’t take long in his first game to make an instant impact, expect similar results from Horton against the Eagles.
The Eagle Has Landed
It hasn’t been a happy new year for Boston College so far in 2022. The Eagles are 2-8 in their last 10 games including a 2-6 mark since the calendar turned to January. BC has lost two in a row, first in blowout fashion to Wake Forest 87-57 and 11 points to North Carolina.
Both games were on the road, as the Eagles have only won one game away from the Silvio O. Conte Forum. Luckily for the program, the matchup is in their own home away from the snow where they have collected a 7-3 overall mark. The seven wins includes ACC victories against Notre Dame and Virginia Tech.
Boston College has a grounded offense, similar to Pitt, struggling to push tempo and are tied exactly with Pitt owning a 40.9 field-goal percentage. That clip ranks the two schools 313th in the country. Rebounding is the biggest aspect of both teams’ abilities, especially on the offensive glass. The Eagles other strength is making smart decisions and not giving the ball away, averaging 11.4 turnovers.
Ashton-Langford leads Boston College with 12.5 points and DeMarr Langford, who paces the team in minutes, scores just over 10.
Spread, Over/Under
Boston College is favored by 3.5 points in Sunday morning’s latest odds.
Pitt is 15-5 against the spread this year. The total has resulted in hitting the under on four of the last six road games.
The over/under for the game is set at 125.5 points and Pitt is +140 on the money line.
Boston College has hit the over in six of the last eight games and has played significantly better at home.
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Broadcast, Radio Info
The Boston College and Pitt matchup will air on the ACC Network Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. Jon Meterparel and Dan Bonner are scheduled to call the game.
The game can also be heard live on KDKA 1020 rather than 93.7 The Fan due to the NFL playoffs.
Pitt begins the month of February on Wednesday to conclude a two-game road trip against Wake Forest at 7 p.m.
This game will be an indicator if this Capel coached team has gotten any better, or if the Syracuse game was just the Orangemen being off their game, shooting wise.
With both teams near the cellar of the division now, the loser will be near being the worst team in the ACC.