On Sunday afternoon, Pitt will host Clemson in its first ACC matchup of the season. Let’s dive into the preview.
PITT’S OUTLOOK
The Panthers are now 5-2 after falling to Missouri on Tuesday. Pitt has had four days to focus on a new set of Tigers, this time coaches by Brad Brownell. The oddly-timed conference matchup will be a big one for Jeff Capel’s squad, as Clemson comes to town with a 6-0 record after taking down No. 23 Alabama last week in Tuscaloosa.
CLEMSON TIGERS (6-0)
Clemson finished 23-11 last season, just barely missing the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers have missed the past two tournaments after making it in as a No. 7 seed in the 2020-21 season. This year, Brownell is looking to turn things back in the right direction, and has a veteran-led squad that can get you from all over the court.
HEAD COACH
Brad Brownell (14th season)
FAMILIAR FACES
Clemson comes to town with some familiar names from the conference. Pitt has played PJ Hall and Chase Hunter, among others, previously while they have been at Clemson. However, this past offseason, the Tigers brought in two other ACC players via the transfer portal.
Joe Girard III — the sharpshooting, former Syracuse guard — is now a Tiger. He’s averaging 13 points per game and shooting 42% from three-point land this year. Jack Clark (formerly at NC State) is also now a Tiger, and is playing just under 14 minutes per game.
TOP SCORERS
#24 PJ Hall
Hall, a center, has taken his game to new heights this season. He is averaging 21.3 points and 7 rebounds while also shooting a career-best 41% from three-point range.
Hall had 12 points and ten rebounds in last year’s 75-74 win over Pitt at the Petersen Events Center.
#1 Chase Hunter
The 6-foot-4 guard led the Tigers into the Steel City last year, scoring a team-high 17 in Clemson’s win. This year, he’s currently averaging 13.3 points and 3.5 assists per game, and is shooting 46% from three.
#11 Joe Girard III
Girard, the Syracuse transfer, is averaging 13 points and 3.7 assists per game. He’s attempting 10.7 three pointers per game, which is three less than he did per game last year at Syracuse.
METRICS
Pitt is ranked No. 52 (down 9 after loss to Missouri) in Kenpom.com’s ratings, while Clemson is ranked No. 31.
GAME TIME
Pitt Vs. Clemson will start at 2 p.m. EST on ACC Network.
SPREAD
Pitt is favored by 1.5 points in Sunday’s matchup, per DraftKings Sportsbook. The over/under is hovering around 146.5 points.
TV
You can find Tuesday’s game on ACC Network. James Westling and Randolph Childress will be on the call.
Prediction: Clemson 85
Pitt 76
never a doubt
Saw Childress as a player…..Good player back in the day but can do better as an announcer. He gets off on too many tangents during the action and fails to address certain on-court real time situations which are pertinent to the game. Would someone tell him to enlighten us with his hoops knowledge as it relates to the current action?