On Saturday afternoon, Pitt (13-8, 4-6 ACC) will host the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in another ACC home game, just days after the Panthers took home their first conference win at the Petersen Events Center over Wake Forest.
PITT’S OUTLOOK
Jeff Capel’s Panthers have won three of their last four games, including Wednesday’s victory over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at home. In the win, Pitt’s Bub Carrington led the way with 24 points, while Ishmael Leggett followed with 22 and Blake Hinson added 17. Forward Will Jeffress played a huge role off the bench in just 12 minutes of action, limiting Wake big man Efton Reid to just two points while guarding him in the final nine minutes of the game.
The Panthers now look to Notre Dame — a team that it should beat. The Irish have lost five-straight games, and sit at 7-14 overall and just 2-8 in ACC play.
NOTRE DAME (7-14, 2-8 ACC)
HEAD COACH
Micah Shrewsberry (1st Season)
The former Penn State head coach, Shrewsberry took over the job in South Bend this past offseason. It’s been a tough go so far for his young team, especially as of late. Notre Dame has lost five straight: Florida State, Boston College (twice), Miami, and Virginia have all beaten the Irish since Jan. 13. The last time Notre Dame won a game was on Jan. 9 against Georgia Tech in Atlanta.
Earlier in the year, Notre Dame took down Virginia at home, winning 76-54 in a big upset. In that game, Carey Booth went for 17 points along with JR Konieczny. Markus Burton had 15 points and eight assists, and the Irish held their ground at Purcell Pavillion for the win.
LEADING SCORERS
Markus Burton – Guard – 16 PPG
Burton, the former Indiana “Mr. Basketball,” is Notre Dame’s most dangerous player as just a freshman. The Mishawaka, Indiana native is shooting 42% from the field this year, including 30% from three-point range. He also averages 4.1 assists per game and 1.6 steals per contest. Burton is the lone Notre Dame player averaging in double figures in terms of scoring, and he has scored more than 125 points more than any other Notre Dame player this season.
JR Konieczny – Wing – 9.6 PPG
Konieczny, at 6-foot-7, is shooting 40% from the field this year and 33% from three. He recently scored 15 points against Boston College, also grabbing eight rebounds in that loss. However, he made just five of his 16 field-goal attempts in that game. In Notre Dame’s most recent game, he went 1 for 6 and scored three points in a loss to Virginia.
Braeden Shrewsberry – Guard – 9.2 PPG
Shrewsberry, the head coach’s son, is another freshman that has played a big role for Notre Dame so far this year. At 6-foot-3, he is shooting 34% from three this season and leads the team with 44 three pointers.
PRESS CONFERENCES
On Friday afternoon, Pitt head coach Jeff Capel and guard Ishmael Leggett previewed the matchup against the Irish. Hear from them at the link below.
Pitt HC Jeff Capel Previews ND, Compares 2009 Pitt and Oklahoma Teams
METRICS
Pitt is ranked No. 66 in KenPom.Com’s ratings (up four from Wake Forest win), while Notre Dame is ranked No. 163. The NCAA’s NET rankings have the Panthers at No. 63 (up two) and the Fighting Irish at No. 171.
Because this is a home game against an opponent ranked within 161-353 in NET, this is a Quad 4 game for the Panthers.
GAME TIME
Pitt Vs. Notre Dame will start at 6 p.m.
SPREAD
Pitt is favored by 9.5 points, as of Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. The over/under is set around 127 points, and you can bet Pitt moneyline at -520 or Notre Dame moneyline at +390. All odds via DraftKings.
TV
You can find Saturday’s game on ACC Network and on the radio on 93.7 The Fan. Wes Durham and Dan Bonner will be on the call for ACCN.
H2P. Let’s make it 4 out of 5. Keep grinding.
Pitt-71, ND-59.
I am optimistic.
ND typically has our number … let’s hope that ends tonight. H2P !