Barack Obama Picked Pitt to Make Sweet 16

The 44th President has the Pitt Panthers making a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers have some friends in high places as they embarked on their first NCAA Tournament run in seven years. 

The 44th and 46th Presidents of the United States released their full bracket's worth of picks and both have Pitt winning their first round matchup. Barack Obama has the Panthers beating Iowa State and Xavier in the rounds of 64 and 32 before ultimately falling to Texas in the Sweet 16. Joe Biden has Pitt topping Iowa State (his bracket was made before the First Four and it indicates he thought Mississippi State would beat the Cyclones, too) but losing in the second round to the Musketeers. 

Forward Blake Hinson appreciated the love from President Obama. 

"All right, Barack," he said. "You think Barack going to see this? Barack, what up, man? I love Barack. I'm not going to forget that right there."

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro also picked Pitt to go far - all the way to the Elite Eight, in fact. Guard Jamarius Burton

"I didn't see any of those but I'm just grateful," Burton said. "Obviously, we all know Barack and for him to have that kind of faith and belief in our program and us as players and what we've been able to do means a lot."

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