Lunardi: 'Not Optimistic' About Pitt's NCAA Tournament Odds

ESPN’s Joe Lunardi explained why he isn’t bullish on the Pitt Panthers' NCAA Tournament odds.

PITTSBURGH -- ESPN's Joe Lunardi had more bad news to share with Pitt Panthers fans, even after they knocked off NC State at home on Senior Night by a final score of 81-73. 

After former Indiana and Georgia head coach, now an ESPN college basketball commentator, Tom Crean had been singing Pitt's praises all night and questioning why they are still not in Lunardi's projected field, Lunardi answered. The long-time bracketologist complimented the Panthers' win over NC State, but provided a short and disappointing explanation for why they're not in the field.

"Here's the thing about Pitt - and if there's one thing the committee has been incredibly consistent about over the years," Lunardi said on ESPN. "Let's say this - non-conference schedule for Pitt: 344th at the start of the week. There's never been a bubble team, ever, even close to that, that's gotten in. So I'm not optimistic." 

MORE: Inside Pitt Postgame Report: Panthers Enter Postseason Riding High

At the end of the night, Lunardi had Virginia, St. John's, New Mexico and Colorado among his Last Four In. Villanova, Providence, Iowa and Drake comprised the First Four Out and Wake Forest, Memphis, Pitt and Texas A&M made up the Next Four Out.  

Pitt had briefly dropped out of Lunardi's Next Four Out by tip-off of their game against the Wolfpack. The Panthers were surpassed by some other teams that had notched wins earlier in the day but Pitt was back in the Next Four Out after their win. 

The Panthers have some work to do in the ACC Tournament next week if they want to earn a bid to the Big Dance. 

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