Pitt basketball is starting to gain the respect of national outlets and reporters. Sitting at 16-7 overall, 9-3 in ACC play, and on a three-game winning streak, the Panthers are tied for second place in the conference.
The Panthers inched closer to the AP Top 25, receiving 26 votes, slotted No. 30 overall, and the fifth-highest ACC team. Virginia is the top-ranked conference team at 8th overall, down two spots, while Miami climbed four places to 19th and NC State remained 22nd. Duke (87) and Clemson (31) are on the outside looking in ahead of Pitt.
In his updated Power 36, Andy Katz of NCAA.com moved Pitt from unranked to the highest-rated ACC team at 21st on the list after sweeping North Carolina by one in Chapel Hill Wednesday night. Virginia (22), NC State (25), Duke (26), and Miami (30) all trail Pitt. North Carolina (previously 18) and Clemson (25) both fell out of the top 36. Katz’s top five teams are Purdue, Houston, Tennessee, Alabama, and Texas.
CBS Sports college basketball reporter Jon Rothstein placed Pitt No. 26 on his Week 14 ROTHSTEIN 45. Rothstein ranks Purdue, Arizona, Alabama, Houston, and Tennessee as college basketball’s top five teams. Virginia (11), Miami (16), NC State (21), and Duke (22) rank ahead of the Panthers, while Clemson (27), North Carolina (28), trail behind as seven ACC teams are represented.
A win Tuesday against Louisville (3-20, 1-11 ACC) would put Pitt in a tie for first place with Clemson (18-6, 10-3 ACC), who are riding a two-game losing streak. Pitt and Virginia (17-4, 9-3 ACC) are tied for second place. The Cavaliers host NC State Tuesday at 9 p.m. Pitt defeated Virginia at home 68-65 on Jan. 3.
This team has Top 25 talent for sure.
Unfortunately they have stumbled at times and have been their own worst enemy.
If they can keep focused and avoid silly losses (see FSU), this would be a tournament team.
H2P!
The goal at this point should be to win the acc regular season. It won’t be easy, but with the schedule the panthers have ahead of them, it’s more than achievable
yeah, schedule is “easier” than most of the other current top 6 teams. Let’s get it !
One game at a time …. stay focused. H2P !
Most of these reporters are jerks….with a capital J. They all mostly play ‘sports politics’.
Media is general is most nothing but shills with an agenda. Like who pays them, directly & INDIRECTLY !