College Hoops Picks Feb. 7, 2009: Pittsburgh Panthers at DePaul Blue Demons

Pittsburgh Panthers (7-2, 20-2) at DePaul Blue Demons (0-10, 8-15)

Saturday, Feb. 7—2:00 PM EST

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Preview

The Blue Demons (0-10, 8-15) are yet to win a Big East game this season, and it doesn't look like they are going to get their first on Saturday when they host Pittsburgh (7-2, 20-2).

The Panther's two losses have come in conference play—a six point loss to Louisville (which knocked them out of the top national ranking), and a 10 point loss to Villanova. Since losing to the Wildcats, though, Pitt has won two games—a 13 point victory over Notre Dame, and a 20 point win over NEC-leading Robert Morris.

DePaul has not won a game since Dec. 28, and their losing margin has not been exactly close. After losing to Marquette by nine, the Blue Demons have rattled off three losses of 22, 19, and 15 points.

The bad news for the Blue Demons is that their two stars—Dar Tucker (F, 18.5 PPG) and Mac Koshwal (C, 13.5 PPG, 10.0 RPG)—are going to be matched up with DeJuan Blair (F, 14.9 PPG, 12.7 RPG) and Sam Young (F, 18.1 PPG) under the basket.

If the Blue Demons stand a chance of upsetting Pitt, they are going to need nothing short of a miracle. The question becomes by how much will Pitt be able to pull away.

By The Numbers

	Record	Conf	ATS	RPI	SOS	PF	PA
Pittsburgh	20-2	7-2	10-6	3	10	77.7	61.6
DePaul	8-15	0-10	4-13	201	75	65.7	70.4

	FG%	D. FG%	3P%	D. 3P%	FT%	RPG	SPG	APG	TPG
Pittsburgh	47.6	39.5	35.6	33.9	65.1	43.3	8.0	17.9	11.7
DePaul	41.1	44.3	27.4	33.9	62.2	39.2	6.9	11.4	12.7

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Prediction

Current Line: Pitt -15.0

Pittsburgh ATS: 10-6, 8-5 when favored.
DePaul ATS: 4-13, 3-10 when underdog.

This is only the fourth time these two teams will meet, and Pitt leads the series 2-1 ATS.

As I said above, Pitt's been on a roll and is in the midst of a fantastic season. But that doesn't change the fact that DePaul's two stars (who were both Big East All-Freshman last season) are going to give Young and Blair trouble under the basket.

The Blue Demons aren't going to win this one, but they're going to be able to keep it closer than 15.

Ryan's Pick: DePaul +15.0

*This article is also featured on CBBPlace.com*

*All statistics for this article have come from StatSheet.com*