Pitt finished the 2022-23 home schedule by winning its final six games in a row. While one portion of the Panthers’ story comes to an end, another is just beginning. For the first time in seven seasons, the Pitt Panthers ranked in the AP Poll Top 25.
Pitt (21-8, 14-4 ACC) received 140 votes to rank No. 25 on the AP rankings as the third-highest ACC team behind Virginia (No. 13, 718 votes) and Miami (No. 16, 668 votes), who both lost Saturday. Duke (78), NC State (6), and Clemson (5) also received votes outside of the Top 25. The selection marks the first time in 2,591 days Pitt is ranked.
The Panthers received 34 votes and sat No. 27 overall in the rankings last week, two spots higher than the week before. Pitt received 82 votes for the Feb. 13 poll, 48 additional votes than the previous rankings.Â
The Panthers slotted as high as No. 20 under head coach Jamie Dixon during the 2015-16 campaign. It also marked the last time Pitt reached the NCAA tournament. The team lost 47-43 to No. 7 seed Wisconsin, entering March Madness a No. 10 seed following a 21-12 overall record and a 9-9 ACC mark.
Andy Katz has the Panthers No. 22 overall on his Power 36, down seven spots from No. 31 last week. The Hurricanes (No. 12) moved down three spots while the Cavaliers (No. 30) took a major tumble from No. 8 following losses to Boston College and North Carolina.Â
CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein moved Pitt from No. 26 to 23 on his latest ROTHSTEIN 45, noting Jeff Capel should be named ACC Coach of the Year. Miami (No. 12) and Virginia (No. 15) are higher than Pitt while Duke (No. 24), NC State (No. 29), and North Carolina (No. 45) sit behind.
Pitt faces Notre Dame on the road Wednesday night. A victory would own a share of the ACC regular season title and a victory at Miami would secure the outright crown.
