Jim Boeheim Argues for Pitt's NCAA Tournament Bid

The Pitt Panthers have found an ally in the unlikeliest of places.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers have found an ally in the unlikeliest of places as they try to push their campaign for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. 

Syracuse head coach Jim Boehiem, never one to filter his opinions, has been singing the Panthers' praises all March and reiterated this week that they belong in the NCAA Tournament. 

“Pittsburgh finished fourth in our league,” Boeheim said Tuesday on the ACC Network. “They have seven road wins. That’s an NCAA tournament team. Always has been. And should be.”

Less than two weeks ago, Boeheim said during an ACC Network halftime show that Pitt should be an NCAA Tournament team - or at least close to it - with a win Boston College and it looked like the Panthers were headed that way as they held a 15-point lead at intermission. They finished off that win, part of a three-game winning streak and 11-3 stretch to close out the regular season after starting ACC play 1-5. 

The Panthers earned the fourth seed in the ACC Tournament on the strength that run but still have work to do in Washington, D.C., according to most bracketologists. Pitt sat as the first team out of CBS Sports' Jerry Palm's projected field and a Next Four Out team in ESPN's Joe Lunardi's latest projections. 

They'll open their ACC Tournament run in the quarterfinals against either Wake Forest or Notre Dame. 

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

Pitt's Jeff Capel Favors NCAA Tournament Expansion

Rothstein: Pitt Potential NCAA Tournament Bid Stealer

Teammates Call Out Pitt Freshman's ACC Awards Snub

Notre Dame-Wake Forest Will Determine Pitt's Opponent

Pitt Tabbed As Potential NCAA Tournament 'Bracket Buster'

Pitt Faces Must-Win Game in ACC Quarterfinals

• Follow Inside the Panthers on Twitter: @InsidePitt