With four games left in the 2023-24 regular season, Pitt is right on the cusp of NCAA Tournament talk heading into March.
The Panthers have been featured in bracketology predictions throughout their recent hot stretch, but still stand outside the field of 68 in those predictions. However, after dominating this weekend in a Quad 2 win over Virginia Tech, the Panthers are trending upwards.
On Monday, when NCAA reporter Andy Katz released his Power 36 power rankings, he included the Panthers in a solid position at No. 31 overall. Last week, Katz had the Panthers at No. 28.
The Panthers also earned a position in the “First Four Out” category of Mike DeCourcy’s bracketology prediction for FOX.
Out of the 36 teams in Katz’ Power 36 rankings, just three of those teams were not included in Mike DeCourcy’s recent field prediction: South Florida, Loyola Chicago, and Pitt.
Clemson, Pitt’s next opponent (and the No. 30 team in Katz’s rankings) is a projected five seed according to DeCourcy. Pitt will take on the Tigers down in South Carolina on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. on ACC Network.
Comparing Pitt’s record/NET to other teams at or near the cut line, they have a better record/NET than a large number of them, but are being discussed less.
Got to beat Clemson to get in, imo. Unless they somehow ran the table and got to the ACC Tourney Championship game, which they then might have to win.
If their only loss is @Clemson, they won’t need to win ACC. However, I agree that they will have to make the Sunday game.
Any other loss, regardless the result of the Clemson game, they will need to win ACC.
Win out, and they still may need at least one win in ACC.
It’s the fate of the team with really bad early season losses, and no really good early season wins. Bubble.