After sustaining perhaps their most disappointing loss of the season, the Pitt basketball team returns to action tonight. The Panthers are set to welcome Georgia Tech to the Petersen Events Center for a 7:00 p.m. tip on the ACC Network.
Pitt dropped a 76-72 decision to Notre Dame on Saturday, lowering the team’s record to 16-11 overall and 7-9 in the ACC. What little hope Pitt had of being an at-large is all but vanished, and now Jeff Capel’s team will look to try to end on a high note and see what they can do in the ACC Tournament in three weeks.
The challenge tonight is Georgia Tech, a team with an identical 7-9 record in league play. Overall, Georgia Tech is 13-14 this season, but under second-year coach Damon Stoudamire, the team has shown growth. The Yellow Jackets are 5-3 over their last eight games and have played better of late.
The backcourt is led by the duo of Nathan George and Lance Terry. George, a 6’3” sophomore, leads the ACC at 6.3 assists per game. Terry, a senior, tops the team in scoring at 14.6 points a night. The presence inside is significant with 6’9” sophomore Baye Ndongo, who has been a force for the Yellow Jackets for two seasons now. Ndongo has recorded nine double-doubles this season, including his past three games.
Both Pitt and Georgia Tech are in a very similar position, in a logjam of four teams with seven wins currently. At this point, Pitt is merely playing for the best possible draw it can receive in the ACC Tournament.
Can the Panthers pick up a home conference win? The Panther-Lair.com staff gives their picks.
Stephen Gertz (18-9, 10-17 ATS) - I think the Pittsburgh Panthers are going to be fine here at home. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have a few guys that can put the ball in the basket, so Pitt cannot afford to start slow. Even though Georgia Tech has a losing record overall, they sit just one spot below the Panthers in the ACC standings as both are 7-9 in conference games. Pitt must play with some pride at this point. Jaland Lowe and Ishmael Leggett should be the best two players on the floor, but Baye Ndongo is the exact kind of forward that gives the Panthers problems, just like Tae Davis did on Saturday. While there is reason to be skeptical, I think Pitt puts together a solid outing from start to finish and the win by two or three possessions at the Pete.
Prediction: Pitt 76-69
Jim Hammett (20-7, 14-13 ATS) - I do not really love the 8.5-point line favoring the Panthers. At the end of the day, I see two similar teams at this stage of the season. Pitt played better early in the year, which is why the Panthers are rated higher in the NET, but from what has happened since the start of January, there is not much to distinguish these teams. I could see this being a bit of a grind, like it has been the past couple of seasons between these two teams. Last year Pitt won 72-64, and it was a game that was always close, but Pitt surgically pulled away throughout the game. I feel like a similar type of game is in store. I think Pitt has the edge due to home court, but I’m not sure the Panthers will cover the spread.
Prediction: Pitt 74-68
Matt Steinbrink (19-8, 10-17 ATS) - This season has not gone as planned for either of these teams. At this point in the season, we have two teams playing for pride with only a handful of games left. This Georgia Tech team has a nice tandem in the backcourt, which could make things interesting. The Yellow Jackets are one of the longest and most athletic front courts in the ACC. That could pose a legitimate challenge for this Pitt team, who has struggled against teams with size and athleticism. Which team is more bought in and motivated right now? That question looms large in this one. With Pitt being at home, I think they find a way to escape with a win.
Prediction: Pitt 79-74
Houston Wilson (19-8, 13-14 ATS) - Houston Wilson10:20 AM (1 hour ago)tome,ChrisAfter a tough loss over the weekend, Pitt looks to respond tonight at home against Georgia Tech. Pitt has been a much better team at home this year so once again they should benefit from the home-court advantage. Pitt's success could hinge on Ishmael Leggett, who has led them in scoring over the last three games. If he continues to produce at a high level, Pitt will have a strong chance to control the game and come away with a win on their home court.
Prediction: Pitt 85-78
Chris Peak (19-8, 13-14 ATS) - Okay. Georgia Tech. How does Pitt match up? Well, let’s look at the key pieces: rebounding and three-point shooting. The Yellow Jackets are almost dead-even with their opponents on the glass this season, but they do have Baye Ndongo, who is one of the top rebounders in the ACC. He put up 17 and 8 against Pitt last year, although GT still lost that game. In terms of three-point shooting, the Jackets are okay; they’re not great, but they do have two players with 50 makes this season and two more with 30+. The drop-off comes after those four, and while we know that Pitt is not above letting a guy with single-digit makes match his season total in one game, I’m guessing that won’t happen tonight. Ndongo, Lance Terry and Naithan George are the big three to watch, and while it’s certainly not out of the realm of possibility that they carry the Yellow Jackets to a win, I think the Panthers will do enough - maybe just barely enough - to get a W at home.
Prediction: Pitt 73-72
