Pitt Basketball
Inside the Locker Room: Pitt Players Explain Why They’re Worthy of an NCAA Tournament Spot
WASHINGTON – The fate of Pitt basketball rests in the hands of the NCAA selection committee Sunday night to determine if the Panthers are going dancing.
The No. 4 seeded Panthers lost to No. 1 North Carolina, 72-65, in the ACC Tournament semifinals from Capital One Arena Friday. Pitt was outscored 39-30 in the second half after taking a 35-33 advantage to the locker room. Baltimore native Bub Carrington scored a team-high 24 points, while fellow freshman Jaland Lowe totaled 17.
Considered by bracketologist to be on the tournament bubble, the Panthers received a double-bye and defeated No. 5 Wake Forest 81-69 Thursday to pad their season resume. Pitt’s 343rd-ranked non-conference strength of schedule is a key detractor to the Panthers, who lost contests against Missouri at home and beat up on a bad West Virginia team. Despite this, the Panthers entered Friday No. 40 in the NET.
After the game, Pitt players spoke as to why they think the program is worthy of a second-consecutive NCAA Tournament selection.
Inside the locker room: Zack Austin believes #Pitt is worthy of an NCAA Tournament spot
“We have the resume to be in the Tournament” pic.twitter.com/HK1Nb2TgcS
— Austin Bechtold (@AustinRBechtold) March 16, 2024
Inside the locker room: Blake Hinson detailed how Pitt came back from 1-5 in the ACC to be the No. 4 seed and what he expects next with Selection Sunday two days away. pic.twitter.com/VzvvSv0owJ
— Austin Bechtold (@AustinRBechtold) March 16, 2024
Pitt finds itself in a similar spot as last year, questioning if the Panthers will make the field of 68.
Inside the locker room with Guillermo Diaz Graham as the Panthers wait to see their fate for a second-straight season pic.twitter.com/sH1dVl9Bkh
— Austin Bechtold (@AustinRBechtold) March 16, 2024
Carrington shot 9-17 from the floor, 4-8 behind the arc, grabbed five rebounds, and dealt three assists in the defeat. He played all 40 minutes. Carrington also confirmed he will be back at Pitt for his sophomore year.
Bub Carrington isn’t one for bracketology. Carrington doesn’t understand why #Pitt is a bubble team and described why the Panthers should make the NCAA Tournament. pic.twitter.com/38pImCk7bw
— Austin Bechtold (@AustinRBechtold) March 16, 2024
Bub Carrington said “for sure” he will be back at #Pitt next season pic.twitter.com/KS0jtco0ug
— Austin Bechtold (@AustinRBechtold) March 16, 2024
Back from injury and a contributor off the bench, Will Jeffress thinks Pitt’s accomplishments put the Panthers over the final finish line. Jaland Lowe didn’t get to experience the same anxiousness inside the locker room last year when Pitt clinched a spot in Dayton, but soaked in the moment of playing in the ACC Tournament and what may come next for the team.
Will Jeffress believes #Pitt has accomplished enough to be an NCAA Tournament team pic.twitter.com/JGUe8qEpxQ
— Austin Bechtold (@AustinRBechtold) March 16, 2024
Hear from Jaland Lowe about #Pitt’s season and what it was like playing against RJ Davis in the ACC Tournament after watching him in high school pic.twitter.com/KzTt98Ieiw
— Austin Bechtold (@AustinRBechtold) March 16, 2024
