Kansas State, Cincinnati Make Pitt's NCAA Tournament Path Harder

The Pitt Panthers are looking at a much more crowded NCAA Tournament bubble thanks to upsets in the Big XII.

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Big XII did the Pitt Panthers little favors in the second round of their conference tournament. 

Upset wins for both Cincinnati, 72-52 over Kansas, and Kansas State, 78-74 over Texas, could make the NCAA Tournament bubble more crowded and complicate Pitt's path to a second at-large bid in as many years. 

The Wildcats were down multiple starters but a conference win by that margin, regardless of opponent, will play well in the NET rankings. 

The Wildcats and Bearcats entered the day as one of Lunardi's "considered" teams. They sit beyond the Next Four Out, where the Panthers stand in his current bracket projections. The Big XII is widely considered the best league in all of college basketball and Pitt's resume from the ACC, generally considered the weakest power conference in Division I, could have a hard time stacking up against their counterparts from the Big XII in the eyes of the selection committee. 

Of course, it all comes down to an ACC quarterfinal matchup with Wake Forest for Pitt. Win, and you stay alive with all the stress that comes with living on the bubble. Lose, and your hopes of an at-large bids are all but certainly dead to rights. 

Pitt will tip off their quarterfinal matchup from Capital One Arena against Wake Forest at 2:30 p.m. ESPN2 will carry the broadcast. 

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