Inside The Panthers

Bracketology Watch: Pitt Makes Small Gains in Computer Rankings

Even after emerging with a pair of Quad 1 wins, the Pitt Panthers made small gains in computer metrics.

Stephen Thompson

Bracketology Watch: Pitt Makes Small Gains in Computer Rankings
Bracketology Watch: Pitt Makes Small Gains in Computer Rankings /
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PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers have pulled off two of their biggest wins of the season in their last two outings - rallying from down eight in the final two minutes to knock off No. 20 Miami, then beating North Carolina at their house in a tight, physical and emotionally-charged matchup. But even after those Marquee wins, Pitt didn't enjoy much movement in the computer rankings. 

The Panthers moved up just two spots from No. 61 to No. 59 in the NET ratings after beating North Carolina on the road. Given the Tar Heels' position at No. 37 entering that game, this was a Quad 1 win that the computers didn't give Pitt much credit for. 

Jeff Capel's squad boasts an 8-6 record against Quads 1 and 2 - 26 teams have a .500 record or worse against such teams - and an 8-1 record against Quads 3 and 4. Their four Quad 1 wins are tied for 12th-most in college basketball. 

The latest KenPom ratings afforded the Panthers a little bit more love. They are up five spots to No. 62. They sat at No. 67 after topping the Hurricanes. Pitt boasts the nation's No. 55 offense, No. 75 defense and No. 77 luck rating against the 76th-hardest schedule in Division I, according to that system. 

The Panthers' gains in Bartovik ratings were marginal as well. They lept three spots from No. 68 to No. 65. That's after they didn't move at all after beating Miami. Bartovik has Pitt as the 60th-most efficient offense and 79th-most efficient defense in America. 

Part of Pitt's problem is that these models are predictive just as much as they are evaluative. The computers are projecting how the Panthers will finish while also judging their current standing. 

But in that same vein, Pitt faces a conference that they don't love either - just five ACC squads are in the top 50 of the NET and KenPom. Meanwhile, five sit below 100th in the KenPom and six are below the century mark in the NET. This is both a blessing and a curse for the Panthers, who face a relatively easy remaining schedule but don't have many remaining opportunities for big wins either. 

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Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper.  He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press.  During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.  You can reach Stephen by email at stephenethompson00@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter. Read his latest work:

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