The ACC Tournament is heating up, and the Pitt Panthers are making waves. After a nail-biting victory over No.
10 Stanford, secured by Demarco Minor's clutch putback with under a second to go, Pitt is hungry for more. Today, they face North Carolina State in a noon showdown at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, airing on ESPN2.
Pitt, sitting at 13-19, has been on a roll, winning four of their last six games. Coach Jeff Capel's squad barely squeezed into the tournament, and now they're playing with the freedom of underdogs with nothing to lose.
Despite the chatter around Capel's future-especially with recent coaching changes in the conference-his team is focused on the present. Led by three determined seniors, including Barry Dunning Jr., who shone with 16 points and eight rebounds in their last outing, Pitt is aiming for another upset.
Standing in their way is NC State, a team that once looked tournament-bound but has stumbled with four straight losses to end the regular season. Under first-year head coach Will Wade, the Wolfpack is looking to regain their footing.
These teams last met on January 24th, with NC State taking an 81-72 win. Historically, NC State has dominated this matchup, leading the series 23-6. But with Pitt's recent surge, anything can happen.
Predictions vary, with some analysts favoring Pitt's momentum and others pointing to NC State's talent. Stephen Gertz is riding the wave of Pitt's energy, predicting a 74-71 win for the Panthers.
Jim Hammett sees a close battle but leans towards NC State, 71-65, noting their offensive depth. Matt Steinbrink also expects a tight contest, highlighting Pitt's defensive prowess but giving a slight edge to NC State, 74-70.
Houston Wilson and Chris Peak are optimistic about Pitt's chances, citing their recent form and the potential for more March magic. Wilson predicts a 79-76 victory for Pitt, while Peak, buoyed by the excitement of the previous win, also backs the Panthers to keep their run alive.
As Pitt aims to extend their season, the stage is set for a thrilling encounter. Whether they can harness their momentum and pull off another surprise remains to be seen, but one thing's for sure: the Panthers are not going down without a fight.