Inside The Panthers

ESPN Drops Pitt from NCAA Tournament Bubble

The Pitt Panthers have been dropped from the NCAA Tournament bubble.

Stephen Thompson

ESPN Drops Pitt from NCAA Tournament Bubble
ESPN Drops Pitt from NCAA Tournament Bubble /
In this story:

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers' 91-58 loss on the road to Wake Forest had some lasting consequences as they pursue their second NCAA Tournament bid in as many seasons. 

ESPN's Joe Lunardi said in the middle of the Panthers' blowout loss to the Demon Deacons that neither team could move up from where they stood in his latest projections with a win but a loss could be devastating. He followed through on that promise with his latest round of March Madness predictions, which have Pitt no longer on the bubble among the Next Four Out. 

The Panthers are still in picture, but just on the outskirts of the bubble. They're one of four teams - Iowa, Oregon and SMU with them - that are hanging on to consideration for an at-large bid. 

Cincinnati replaced Pitt in the Next Four Out while Wake Forest moved up to become the top team among the First Four Out. 

Four ACC teams in all are among Lunardi's projected field. They're led by North Carolina, a No. 2 seed and Duke, a No. 3 seed. Lunardi also predicted Clemson to be in the field and Virginia is among the Last Four Byes. 

Pitt has an opportunity to bounce back this week with a home game against surging Virginia Tech. They'll also make one more road trip to Clemson before embarking on an ACC Tournament run, so there are plenty of chances left to improve their resume. 

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Panthers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage, and more!

Veterans Helping Pitt Move Past Charlie Partridge Departure

Lindsey Lamar Brings Lessons From Steelers to Pitt

Pitt Joins EA Sports College Football Video Game

Pitt Freshman Considering Position Change

Young Transfer Impressing New Pitt RB Coach

Lakers Pick Pitt's Blake Hinson in Mock Draft

Published
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:

Home/Basketball