Jay Bilas: Pitt Deserves NCAA Tournament Bid

ESPN's Jay Bilas believes the Pitt Panthers are worthy of a bid to the NCAA Tournament.

WASHINGTON, DC -- One national expert believes the Pitt Panthers have played themselves into the NCAA Tournament field after defeating a fellow bubble team in Wake Forest 81-69 during the ACC Tournament quarterfinals on Thursday. 

ESPN's Jay Bilas, who called the game for the network alongside Dan Shulman, stated on the air that the Panthers are unquestionably deserving of a spot in the Big Dance. 

"This is a tournament team," Bilas said after watching Pitt defeat Wake Forest. "There's no doubt in my mind." 

ESPN's Joe Lunardi moved Pitt from the Next Four Out to the third spot in the First Four Out in his latest projections following its win. CBS Sports' Jerry Palm and FOX Sports' Mike Decourcy both had the Panthers within the First Four Out coming into the day, though they could stand to move up following today's results. 

The No. 4 seed Panthers will take on No. 1 seed North Carolina in the semifinals at 7:00 EST on Friday where they will have a chance to earn another Quad 1 win and further cement their status leading up to Selection Sunday. 

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

Joe Lunardi Advances Pitt in NCAA Tournament Projections

Pitt Advances to ACC Semifinals Against North Carolina

Pitt Beats Wake Forest in ACC Quarterfinals

Pitt Aided by Atlantic 10 Tournament Upset

Pitt's Potential ACC Semifinal Opponent Set

Former Pitt QB Signs With Saints

• Follow Inside the Panthers on Twitter: @InsidePitt