Inside The Panthers

Mississippi State Upset Helps Pitt's NCAA Tournament Odds

The Pitt Panthers got some help from a familiar opponent.

Stephen Thompson

Mississippi State Upset Helps Pitt's NCAA Tournament Odds
Mississippi State Upset Helps Pitt's NCAA Tournament Odds /
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WASHINGTON, DC -- Pitt eliminated Mississippi State at the First Four in 2023 but the Bulldogs, by pulling a massive upset in the 2024 SEC Tournament, have helped the Panthers as they push for a second consecutive bid to the the NCAA Tournament. 

Mississippi State helped Pitt by helping themselves. The Bulldogs sat on the NCAA Tournament bubble as one of ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi's "Last Four Byes" are now "solidly in the field", according to Lunardi, after handing No. 5 Tennessee a 73-56 loss in the quarterfinals. That means a spot opens up on the bubble and could allow the Panthers to move up, esspecially if they can pull an upset in the ACC Tournament semifinals. 

The Bulldogs thrashed the Volunteers and led by as many as 20 in the second half. Cameron Matthews and Josh Hubbard each scored 18 points. Tennessee shot 31% from the field and 24% from 3-point range. 

The Panthers moved up into the First Four Out after an 81-69 win over Wake Forest in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals. Now they draw top-seeded North Carolina in the semifinals at Capital One Arena with a chance to notch another Quad 1 win and give their NCAA Tournament resume a massive boost. 

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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:

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