Missed opportunities were the theme on Wednesday night as Pitt couldn't seal the deal against Louisville, falling 67-60. This loss adds to their woes against ranked opponents, now standing at 0-6, and dims their tournament hopes.
Pitt came out firing, with Jamel Artis sinking a deep three to lead 9-2. But a timely timeout by Rick Pitino got Louisville back on track, sparking a 12-1 run.
From there, it was a back-and-forth battle, with neither team leading by more than four for the rest of the half. Ryan Luther was the guiding light for the Panthers in the first 20 minutes, scoring eight points, but they still trailed 33-29 at halftime.
The second half mirrored the first as Pitt hit their first three shots to reclaim the lead. The game remained tight until Pitt, down by three, launched an 11-0 run between the 14 and nine-minute marks.
Luther was pivotal, hitting a three and nailing two free throws during this stretch. However, Louisville's Damion Lee responded with a deep three, cutting the deficit to five, and the Cardinals didn’t miss a field goal the rest of the way.
Louisville's perfect 9-9 finish was too much for Pitt, especially after David Levitch’s three-pointer gave the Cardinals a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Despite four Panthers scoring in double figures, Ryan Luther stood out with 17 points, five rebounds, and two threes. James Robinson added 12, Michael Young chipped in 10, and Artis contributed 13.
Positives:
Ryan Luther: Luther's performance was a bright spot. After a slow start to the season, he's now playing at a high level, showcasing hustle and newfound three-point accuracy, which should earn him more minutes.
Rebounding: Pitt dominated the offensive glass, grabbing nine offensive rebounds to Louisville’s four, a notable feat against a tall Cardinal lineup.
Negatives:
Defensive Breakdowns: Allowing Louisville to end on such a strong run highlighted defensive lapses. The wide-open three by Levitch was a result of miscommunication, with two Panthers guarding one Cardinal.
Turnovers: Artis and Young were responsible for eight of Pitt's 15 turnovers, a critical issue that disrupted their rhythm.
Moral Victories: At this stage, close games against good teams don’t count. Wins are what matter, and this game was a missed chance to solidify their tournament position.
Offensive Grade: D+
Luther was the lone standout in an otherwise disjointed offense. The team was plagued by 15 turnovers, shot 4-18 from three, and went 14-21 at the line.
Normally reliable free-throw shooting let them down, with Young missing all four attempts. Opportunities to put Louisville away were there, but the offense couldn’t capitalize.
Defensive Grade: C-
Pitt initially put Louisville in tough spots, but the defense collapsed as the Cardinals made their last nine shots. Early struggles from three turned into a hot streak for Louisville, hitting seven of their last 10. The lack of defensive closure was glaring.
Coaching Grade: F
This was a crucial game for Pitt, and the collapse falls on the coaching staff. Despite Pitino's challenges with a depleted roster, he managed to outmaneuver with strategic lineups. Credit goes to playing Luther, but that was a straightforward call given his performance.