The Syracuse Orange men's basketball team showcased their resilience yet again as they stormed back from an 11-point deficit to secure a hard-fought 81-73 victory against the Pittsburgh Panthers. This victory not only snapped Pitt's three-game win streak but also extended Syracuse's dominance in the historic series, now leading with a 75-50 all-time record and 11-10 in ACC play against the Panthers.

The star of the game for Syracuse was Quadir Copeland, who had a standout performance, surpassing his previous career-high to score 22 points. Copeland demonstrated his versatility by also contributing nine rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Maliq Brown and Benny Williams provided crucial support, each scoring 15 points and combining for 15 rebounds and two blocks. Judah Mintz chipped in with a dozen points before fouling out, while JJ Starling added nine points to the scoreboard.

The game was a back-and-forth battle, featuring seven ties and six lead changes, until Syracuse seized control in the later stages of the second half. The Orange's rebounding and defense improved during this decisive stretch, capitalizing on Pittsburgh's decision to persist with a 2-3 zone defense. Syracuse capitalized on this opportunity by deploying Copeland in the high-post position and utilizing Williams and Brown along the baseline to exploit the Panthers' defensive scheme.

Despite the victory, there were areas of improvement highlighted for Syracuse. The team committed some careless turnovers and experienced defensive breakdowns leading to fouls. However, the significance of this win cannot be understated. It not only provided a much-needed résumé-boosting victory but also set the tone for the challenging stretch of conference games ahead.

Pittsburgh entered the game as the 16th-ranked team in the nation in terms of rebounds per game, averaging 42.4. In the first half, the Panthers held a 22-15 advantage in rebounding and capitalized with eight second-chance points. Syracuse seemed poised to compensate for this deficit by forcing turnovers. Though this strategy initially worked, Syracuse did not have to rely solely on turnovers in the second half.

Remarkably, Syracuse outrebounded Pittsburgh in the second half, eventually winning the battle on the glass by a slim margin of 40-39. They also bested the Panthers in turnovers, finishing with a 15-13 advantage. The Syracuse bench played a crucial role in leveling the playing field. Copeland led the team with nine rebounds, while Brown and Williams grabbed eight and seven rebounds respectively, contributing to over half of Syracuse's total rebounds as a team.

The Syracuse bench has emerged as a consistent storyline throughout the team's ongoing five-game win streak. This newfound depth has alleviated the pressure on Judah Mintz to carry the team, demonstrating the growth and improvement of the entire roster.

Against Pittsburgh, the bench players – Williams, Copeland, and Brown – made significant contributions, combining for a season-high 52 points. Additionally, the bench accounted for 24 of the team's 40 rebounds, seven of their 16 assists, and five of their 12 steals. Their impact was evident late in the game, as Williams delivered an emphatic dunk off a lob from Mintz, while Copeland made crucial plays down the stretch.

Moving forward, Syracuse assistant coach Adrian Autry faces the challenging decision of prioritizing rim protection and rebounding from the center position or opting for a more mobile big who can defend the perimeter. Malik Brown's versatility in defending outside the paint provides the Orange with additional options on both ends of the court. However, the team recognizes the importance of players like McLeod in upcoming games against North Carolina, Clemson, Boston College, and NC State, where they will face formidable big men.

Despite these considerations, Syracuse successfully defended their home court and maintained an undefeated record of 7-0 at the JMA Wireless Dome this season. The Orange's next home game is scheduled for January 10 against Boston College, followed by a matchup against Miami on January 20. Syracuse will have nine remaining home games in the 2023-24 season, and fans eagerly anticipate more thrilling performances from the resilient Orange squad.