Syracuse and Pittsburgh Pull off Upsets in ACC Basketball

Two teams ranked in the Top 25 in college basketball were beaten by unranked conference opponents in the always competitive ACC on January 14th.

Top ranked Duke faced Syracuse at home in Durham, NC, and had to do without a pair of starters. Forward Cam Reddish (averaging 13.3 points per game) who was out with flu like symptoms. Then point guard Tre Jones went out with a shoulder injury, playing only six minutes of the game. He could be out for an extended period of time. Zion Williamson scored 35 points and had 10 rebounds, while R.J. Barrett contributed 23 points and 16 rebounds, but the Blue Devils dropped a 95-91 overtime loss to Syracuse. The Orange were led by Tyus Battle’s season high 32 points; Syracuse had five players scoring in double figures. Duke was an abysmal nine for 43 from three point range.

Duke dropped to 14-2 overall, and 3-1 in the ACC. Syracuse is also 3-1 in conference action, and 12-5 overall.

In Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Panthers scored 38 points on free throws en route to a 75-62 win over #11 Florida State. Trey McGowens led the Panthers with 30 points; he hit 18 of 19 free throws. After a 12-1 start, the Seminoles have lost three of four and are now 13-4 overall but just 1-3 in the ACC. Pittsburgh improved to 2-2 in conference play, and 12-5 overall.