Pitt (16-8, 7-6 ACC) is looking to extend its winning streak to five in a row with a win against Louisville on Saturday at the Petersen Events Center.
The Panthers already took care of the Cardinals once this season, beating Louisville at the KFC Yum! Center back in early January to earn their first conference win of the year. Now, Pitt is one of the hottest teams in the league and sits in the top half of the conference standings with its eyes on the NCAA Tournament.
PITT’S OUTLOOK
The Panthers are red-hot winners of six of their last seven games and four straight. Recently, Pitt knocked off previously 19-5 Virginia, winning on the road and snapping a massive home winning streak for the Cavaliers. After the win, Pitt appeared on ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi’s “Next Four Out,” entering the discussion for an automatic bid to this year’s NCAA Tournament.
On Saturday, the goal is clear: just win. The Panthers have had that mentality all season long, even in the hardest games of the year back when the team was 1-5 in league play. The Cardinals are one of the worst teams in high-major basketball, and in front of a home crowd, Pitt must win this one to keep itself in the March Madness conversation.
LOUISVILLE (8-17, 3-11 ACC)
HEAD COACH – Kenny Payne – Year Two
LAST TIME OUT
The Cardinals earned a massive performance from Mike James last time out against Pitt. James, a guard, went 8 for 12 from the field, including a whopping 5 for 7 from three-point range, to score 23 points in the loss.
Illinois transfer Skyy Clark added 11 points and six rebounds in the game, and Louisville native Kaleb Glenn grabbed seven rebounds and scored in double figures as well.
As a team, Louisville hit 51% of its field-goal tries against Pitt, and 48% of its threes (10 for 21). Pitt stole the ball nine times last time out against Louisville, forcing 18 total turnovers in the win.
WAKE FALLS
With Wake Forest’s loss to Virginia early Saturday, the Demon Deacons now sit at 8-6 in league play. If the Panthers can take care of Louisville, Pitt will hop up into a tie for fourth place in the conference.
Pitt is ranked No. 54 in the NCAA’s NET rankings, while the Cardinals are ranked No. 179.
Because this is a home game against an opponent ranked below the top-160 in NET, this is a Quad 4 opportunity for the Panthers.
GAME TIME
Pitt Vs. Louisville will start at 6:30 p.m.
SPREAD
Pitt is favored by 12 points, as of Saturday at 2 p.m. EST. The over/under is hovering around 149 total points, and you can bet Pitt MoneyLine at -800 and Louisville ML at +550. All odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.
TV
You can find Saturday’s game on ACC Network and on the radio on 93.7 The Fan. Doug Sherman and Josh Pastner will be on the call for ACCN.
Prediction.
Pitt 79, Lou 72.
I think Louisville covers