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No. 10 Pittsburgh visits Syracuse in Big East opener

Jan 4, 2007 - 4:46 PM No. 10 Pittsburgh (12-2) at Syracuse (11-3) 7:00 pm EST

SYRACUSE, New York (Ticker) -- Pittsburgh is looking forward to visiting its next opponent.

The 10th-ranked Panthers look to continue their recent success at Syracuse on Thursday when they face the Orange to open their Big East Conference schedule.

Pittsburgh has won its last three road games against Syracuse and eight of the last 11 overall encounters.

However, Syracuse prevailed in last spring's Big East Tournament title game, 65-51, at Madison Square Garden.

Mike Cook scored 16 points, Antonio Graves added 14 and Ronald Ramon 11 for the Panthers, who won their ninth straight home game with Friday's 77-51 triumph over Florida A&M.

After consecutive losses to Wichita State and Oklahoma State in early December, Syracuse has won four of five. The lone defeat was to Drexel on December 19.

Demetris Nichols scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, Darryl Watkins added 18 points and Eric Devendorf 17 for the Orange in Saturday's 82-70 victory over St. Bonaventure.