Pitt is finally back in the Steel City after a five-game road trip. The Panthers now return home for four-straight home games, starting with a matchup against Eastern Kentucky on Wednesday night.
Let’s preview that game now.
PITT’S OUTLOOK
Pitt rebounded from its 33-point loss to Mississippi State with a road win over a struggling Virginia Tech team. Speaking of struggling, the Panthers had a rough first 35 minutes against the Hokies. However, a magical late-game run from Jaland Lowe propelled the team to the win.
Jaland Lowe Impresses with Late Takeover Against Virginia Tech
The Panthers, down seven with 5:19 to play, needed someone to step up and will them to a victory.
After two free throws from Ishmael Leggett, Lowe drained a three pointer after starting the half 0-3 from deep. He then knocked down a layup for the Panthers, answering two free throws from Virginia Tech’s Tobi Lawal. Following free throws from Guillermo Diaz Graham and Lawal, Lowe then scored the next six points of the game, extending Pitt’s run to 15-3 in the final 5:19. Lowe finished with 11 of those 15 points, including the final six of the game, and a total of 19 points in the game.
Now, Lowe leads his squad back to the Oakland Zoo to take on Eastern Kentucky.
EASTERN KENTUCKY COLONELS (5-4)
HEAD COACH
A.W. Hamilton
EKU PREVIEW
Eastern Kentucky has played one power conference team so far this year: Clemson. The Colonels fell to the Tigers by just 13 points, 75-62. In that game, 6-foot-6 guard and leading scorer Devontae Blanton went 10 for 15 from the field to score 23 points for the Colonels.
Clemson’s front court dominated the game, with Viktor Lakhin and Ian Schieffelin combining for 32 points and 21 rebounds. The Tigers went just 7 of 24 from three-point range in the win. Mayar Wol, a 6-foot-8 forward, was the only other player in double figures for EKU. He scored 12 points and grabbed six boards.
The team struggled from downtown in the loss to the Tigers, going 6 for 24. Wol attempted seven threes, while George Kimble III, a starting guard, attempted five. Jordan Crawford and Jackson Holt each attempted four three pointers.
METRICS
Pitt is ranked No. 16 in the NET rankings, while Eastern Kentucky is ranked No. 152.
GAME TIME
Pitt Vs. EKU will start at 7 p.m. est. on ACC Network Extra.
SPREAD
Pitt is a 20.5-point favorite, per DraftKings. The Panthers moneyline is -2400, while EKU is +1200 to win straight up. The over/under is hovering around 148.5 points.
TV
You can find Wednesday’s game on ACC Network Extra. Jason Earle and former Panther Nelly Cummings will be on the call for the game.
RADIO
Pitt Vs. Eastern Kentucky will be live on 93.7 The Fan as well.
Former Pitt Star on the Call for Wednesday’s Pitt/EKU Game on TV
