The Pitt Panthers are riding into tonight’s ACC/SEC Challenge matchup with a little more swagger in their step - and for good reason. Just days ago, they pulled off one of the most dramatic wins of the young season, edging out Ohio State 67-66 thanks to a buzzer-beating three from senior point guard Demarco Minor. It wasn’t just a win; it was a jolt of adrenaline for a team still trying to find its rhythm.
Let’s be honest - Pitt needed that moment. Before that thriller, they were coming off a humbling home loss to Quinnipiac, and questions were starting to swirl about where this team was headed.
But Friday’s win didn’t feel like a fluke. The Panthers led for much of the night, played with purpose, and showed some grit even as the Buckeyes clawed back late.
That kind of performance can be a turning point - if they build on it.
Tonight, they’ll get a serious test against Texas A&M, who comes to the Petersen Events Center with a 6-2 record and plenty of offensive firepower. The Aggies, under first-year head coach Bucky McMillian, like to push the pace - and they’ve been doing it well, averaging north of 93 points per game.
That’s not a typo. They run deep too, regularly rolling out a 10-man rotation that keeps the tempo high and the pressure constant.
Pitt, now 5-3 overall and 1-2 against power-five opponents, is still carving out its identity. But there are some clear signs of life.
Senior center Cameron Corhen has been a steady force in the paint, averaging 14.9 points and 9.5 rebounds through eight games, including four double-doubles. He’s been the anchor.
Around him, the Panthers have been searching for consistent scoring - and they may have found a spark in senior transfer Barry Dunning Jr., who enters tonight on a four-game streak of 14+ point performances.
One concern for Pitt, though, is depth. Sophomore shooting guard Brandin Cummings has missed three games this season, including the last one, and his absence could be felt tonight against a team that thrives on pace and depth. If Cummings can’t go, Pitt will need to lean even more on its veterans and hope the supporting cast can hold up under the Aggies’ relentless tempo.
Texas A&M, currently ranked No. 78 in the NCAA’s initial NET rankings, is coming off a dominant 95-59 win over Florida State - another ACC opponent - and has won four straight. Pitt, meanwhile, sits at No. 145 in those same rankings. The oddsmakers have this one pegged as a close contest, with the Aggies entering as a 3.5-point favorite.
This is year three of the ACC/SEC Challenge, and Pitt is still looking for its first win in the event. The ACC as a whole hasn’t fared well either, which adds a little extra motivation for the Panthers to flip the script tonight.
What to Watch:
- Tempo Control: Pitt can’t afford to get into a track meet. If they want to stay in this game, they’ll need to dictate pace, control the glass, and turn this into a grind-it-out affair. That’s easier said than done against an Aggies squad that thrives on chaos and transition opportunities.
- Turnover Battle: One of the keys to Pitt’s win over Ohio State was their ability to take care of the ball - just five turnovers all night. That kind of efficiency will be critical again, especially since Texas A&M ranks among the nation’s best in forcing turnovers.
- Perimeter Defense: The Aggies are dangerous from deep, averaging 12 made threes per game with seven players shooting 34% or better from beyond the arc. That’s a lot of ground to cover. Pitt’s perimeter defense will need to be sharp, especially when it comes to closing out on shooters like Ruben Dominguez.
- Home-Court Edge: Don’t underestimate “The Pete.” Pitt has had its ups and downs this season, but playing at home in front of a fired-up crowd gives them a real shot at pulling off another upset - especially if they can ride the momentum from Friday night.
Final Thought: This game is a measuring stick.
For Pitt, it’s a chance to prove that Friday’s buzzer-beater wasn’t just a flash in the pan. For Texas A&M, it’s another opportunity to show they can win on the road in hostile environments.
Expect a tightly contested battle with plenty of swings - and don’t be surprised if it comes down to the final possession once again.