Tonight Pitt takes on Duquesne in the 78th City Game. The game will be held at the Mellon Arena, the 35th and final time at the Mellon Arena. Not since 2001 has the game been held at the neutral site. Tonight’s game will tip off at 7:00PM and will be shown on FSN Pittsburgh.

Both Pitt and Duquesne are 5-1. Pitt’s one loss came to number 3 Texas in the CBE Classic Final after going point for point with them the majority of the game. The Dukes single loss came to Western Carolina. Pitt looks to beat Duquesne for the 9th straight time.

The Dukes have 4 players averaging double digits in points, but really lack bench depth. The Panthers have to contain F Damian Saunders who is averaging 16.8 points and 15.5 rebounds and G Melquan Bolding who is averaging 25 points. The Dukes marquee win has been an upset of Iowa, at Iowa.

The Panthers will be lead by Ashton Gibbs, Brad Wanamaker, Gary McGhee, and Nasir Robinson. All four men scored double digits against Youngstown St. and McGee and Robinson had double-doubles.

This game, more than anything, is about tradition. This is the 35th and final time these two teams will play at the Mellon Arena, and will be the final college basketball game there. It will be interesting to see what both schools have in store for this final farewell as these two teams prepare to really ignite the rivalry once again.

Duquesne is a good school, and they have a very good coach in Ron Everhart. I just don’t feel like they are complete enough yet to beat Pitt. The game will be close I feel, but I give the edge to the Panthers on this one. The Dukes may be averaging 4 more points than the Panthers, but Pitt can shut down the most potent offenses with Jamie Dixon’s man-to-man defense.

Prediction: 68-55, Pitt Wins