PITTSBURGH – The University of Pittsburgh men’s basketball team finished the 2015-16 regular season 20-10 overall and 9-9 in the ACC to claim the No. 8 seed at the New York Life ACC Tournament in Washington, D.C. (March 8-12). The Panthers receive a first round bye before facing nine-seed Syracuse Wednesday at noon at the Verizon Center.
The Pitt-Syracuse winner advances to play top-seed North Carolina in the quarterfinals Thursday.
Pitt has won four straight games with the Orange including both meetings this season. The Panthers posted a 72-61 win over Syracuse at the Petersen Events Center Dec. 30 and followed up with a 66-52 win at the Carrier Dome Feb. 20. Junior Jamel Artis averaged 19.5 points, 10.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game against the Orange this season.
Jamie Dixon has compiled a 14-6 record against Syracuse in his career.
The full schedule for the 2016 New York Life ACC Tournament:
Tuesday, March 8
First round
Noon – No. 12 NC State vs. No. 13 Wake Forest (ESPN2/ACC Network)
2 p.m. – No. 11 Florida State vs. No. 14 Boston College (ESPN2/ACC Network)
Wednesday, March 9
Second round
Noon – No. 8 Pitt vs. No. 9 Syracuse (ESPN/ACC Network)
2 p.m. – No. 5 Duke vs. Tuesday noon winner (ESPN/ACC Network)
7 p.m. – No. 7 Clemson vs. No. 10 Georgia Tech (ESPN2/ACC Network)
9 p.m. – No. 6 Virginia Tech vs. Tuesday 2 p.m. winner (ESPN2/ACC Network)
Thursday, March 10
Quarterfinals
Noon – No. 1 North Carolina vs. Wednesday noon winner (ESPN/ACC Network)
2 p.m. – No. 4 Notre Dame vs. Wednesday 2 p.m. winner (ESPN/ACC Network)
7 p.m. – No. 2 Virginia vs. Wednesday 7 p.m. winner (ESPN/ACC Network)
9 p.m. – No. 3 Miami vs. Wednesday 9 p.m. winner (ESPN/ACC Network)
Friday, March 11
Semifinals
7 p.m. – Thursday afternoon winners (ESPN/ACC Network)
9 p.m. – Thursday evening winners (ESPN/ACC Network)
Saturday, March 12
Championship
9 p.m. – Friday evening winners (ESPN/ACC Network)