Men’s Basketball Preview: Boston College @ Pittsburgh

What

Boston College has never needed a win more this season than they do tonight against the Pitt Panthers. Pitt was the team that sent the Eagles packing in the ACC tournament last season and now BC must limp into Petersen Events Center, after dropping their last 3 games, all to ACC opponents. BC was incredibly shorthanded versus Wake Forest and hopefully they’ll get some of those players back this week and find some offensive rhythm.

When

January 22nd, 2020

9 pm EST

Where

Petersen Events Center

Pittsburgh, PA

How to Watch

This game is going to be broadcast on NESN

How to Listen

Listen WEEI 850 AM

Previewing the Panthers

Pitt sits at 3-4 in the ACC but two of those losses came to Louisville a former #1 team in the country and have good out of conference wins over Kansas State and Northwestern. The Panthers represent their city well with their stingy defense, holding teams to 61.3 points per game while holding opponents to 8.9 free throws per game. The team is undefeated when holding opponents under 60 points this season. This defense also forces 12.4 turnovers per game and scores 17 points off those turnovers per game off those turnovers. Pitt has four players in Trey McGowens, Xavier Johnson, Justin Champagnie and Ryan Murphy who average double digits points. Further, Pitt’s guards McGowens, Johnson, and Murphy account for 54.7% of the team’s scoring output.

Player to Watch

Trey McGowens. This sophomore guard leads Pitt in scoring with 13.3 points per game and is averaging 17.7 over the last four games. Any one of Pitt’s three guards could be dangerous but it is McGowen’s last performance that makes me give him the nodd. In Pitts most recent game, a win over UNC, McGowens was only 1 for 10 from the field so I bet Pitt will try to get him going this game.

How Does BC Win?

Look for mid-range shots. Last game the Eagles were at their best when looked for mid-range shots and three-point shooting as not been this team’s strong suit this season. The team is only averaging 28.6% from beyond the arc and shooting too many threes has put the Eagles in deep holes this season. With the team shooting struggles the Eagles need to find high percentage looks to try and gain some confidence if they are going to turn it around, especially in this game.

Score Prediction

BC - 70 / Pitt - 66