When Pitt squares off against Syracuse on Monday, the Orange will be without their leading scorer, forward Kris Joseph. Joseph averages about 15 points per game and pulling in five rebounds per contest, and is the team’s second leading rebounder.
So what kind of effect will that have on the game? Well, for starters, Syracuse will need its young forwards to step up and play some additional minutes. The team will likely rely upon forwards James Southerland, C.J. Fair, Mookie Jones, and Baye Moussa Keita to play a little extra tonight. We’re not sure who will start in Joseph’s absence, but all four play regular minutes as it is, so it’s not as if Syracuse will be playing someone not accustomed to getting into the game.
Still, all four are either freshmen or sophomores, so it will be interesting to see how they respond to playing additional minutes in a hostile road environment. Regardless of Syracuse’s depth, his absence puts the Orange at a disadvantage entering Monday’s contest.