Pitt Basketball Eyes ACC Upset vs. Red-Hot Miami: Three Keys to Watch
Pittsburgh’s non-conference slate didn’t exactly go according to plan. Losses to Hofstra and Quinnipiac at home were tough pills to swallow, and a 7-6 record heading into conference play doesn’t scream contender.
But lately, there’s been a flicker of momentum. Back-to-back wins over Binghamton and a solid Penn State squad have the Panthers trending in the right direction as they open ACC play.
Their first test? A surging Miami team that’s riding a six-game win streak and sitting at 11-2.
The Hurricanes have looked sharp under first-year head coach Jai Lucas, picking up notable wins over Georgetown and Ole Miss along the way. Now they’re back home, looking to keep the good times rolling in their ACC opener.
If Pitt is going to pull off the upset, they’ll need to hit on a few critical points. Let’s break them down.
1. Cam Corhen Needs to Be a Rock for 40 Minutes
If there’s been one constant for Pitt this season, it’s Cam Corhen. The senior big man has been the heart of the Panthers’ lineup, leading the team with 13.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. He’s also been an ironman - logging more total minutes than anyone in the ACC so far.
But that kind of workload takes a toll, and things don’t get any easier against Miami’s frontcourt. The Hurricanes roll out a big, athletic trio in 6’11” Ernest Udeh (9.8 boards per game), 7’1” freshman Timotej Malovec, and the versatile Malik Reneau, who can slide to the five and stretch the floor.
With Papa Kante still sidelined by a lower-body injury, Pitt has leaned on freshman Kieran Mullen to give Corhen brief breathers. But make no mistake - this is Corhen’s game to carry.
If he can’t hold his own defensively, stay out of foul trouble, and continue to produce offensively, Pitt’s chances take a serious hit. He doesn’t need to be perfect, but he has to be impactful from tip to buzzer.
2. Siulepa and Witherspoon Have to Bring the Firepower
Let’s be honest - Miami can flat-out score. They’re averaging around 90 points per game, and while some of that came against lighter competition, the Hurricanes are still one of the most explosive offensive teams in the ACC.
For Pitt to keep pace, they’ll need more than just their veterans to show up. They’ll need their freshmen to step up - specifically Roman Siulepa and Omari Witherspoon.
Siulepa showed what he’s capable of with a 28-point breakout against Penn State, while Witherspoon chipped in 15 off the bench. That kind of production doesn’t need to be replicated exactly, but Pitt can’t afford to have those two combine for single digits - which has happened more than once this season against high-major opponents.
A combined 15+ points from that duo would go a long way toward keeping Pitt in the mix. Whether it’s attacking closeouts, hitting open threes, or creating in transition, they’ll need to bring energy and efficiency on the offensive end.
3. Containing Shelton Henderson Without Losing Offensive Punch
Miami’s scoring is top-heavy - four players average at least 13.7 points per game, but there’s a noticeable drop-off after that. One of the most dangerous weapons in that group is Shelton Henderson, a 6’6” slashing forward who’s shooting a blistering 62% from the field.
Henderson isn’t a volume shooter from deep - just 13 attempts all season - but he doesn’t need to be. He thrives off the dribble, getting downhill and finishing through contact. He put up 18 points against Ole Miss and torched Florida International for a season-high 30.
Pitt’s best chance to slow him down? Barry Dunning.
The junior wing will likely draw the primary assignment on Henderson, and his ability to stay in front without fouling will be critical. But here’s the catch - Dunning also needs to contribute offensively.
If he’s spending all his energy on defense but can’t chip in 10+ points on the other end, Pitt could struggle to keep pace.
It’s a tough ask, but that’s what ACC basketball is all about.
The Bottom Line
Pitt doesn’t come into this one as the favorite, but that doesn’t mean they’re out of it. If Corhen can anchor the paint, the freshmen can provide a scoring lift, and Dunning can hold his own against one of the ACC’s most efficient scorers, the Panthers have a real shot to make some noise.
This is the kind of early-conference matchup that can set the tone for the rest of the season. And if Pitt wants to prove they belong in the ACC conversation, there’s no better place to start than by stealing a win on the road in Miami.