Pitt vs Duke in ACC Tournament: Game Info, Odds, Three Storylines

The Pitt Panthers are in unfriendly territory for an ACC quarterfinal bout with Duke.
Pitt vs Duke in ACC Tournament: Game Info, Odds, Three Storylines
Pitt vs Duke in ACC Tournament: Game Info, Odds, Three Storylines /
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PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers earned a date with Duke by knocking Georgia Tech out of the ACC Tournament in the second round. The Panthers won convincingly in the 

Game Info

Opponent: No. 21 Duke (23-8 overall, 14-6 ACC)
Time: 2:30 PM EST
Location: Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, North Carolina
Broadcast: ESPN2 and 93.7 The Fan

Odds

Duke is a six-point favorite over Pitt. The Panthers are +198 on the moneyline and their opponents are -247. The point total line has been set at 141.5. 

Three Storylines

In Enemy Territory

While the ACC Tournament is played at what is technically a neutral site at the Greensboro Coliseum, it will feel like a home game for Duke. While there will be some stray Wake Forest, North Carolina and NC State fans in the building eager to cheer for the Bleu Devils' demise, the pro-Duke crowd will no doubt outnumber the Panther fans in attendance. 

Battle on the Boards

In the first meeting between these two teams, Pitt lost the rebounding battle by 23 and Duke's 24-9 advantage in offensive rebounding led to a 19-8 lead in second chance points. Star freshmen Kyle Filipowski and veteran transfer Ryan Young combined for 25 rebounds and Filipowski scored 28 points. 

Pitt held a double-digit lead in the second half but their inability to finish off defensive rebounds resulted in a brutal loss. It was a problem in the regular season finale against Miami and they can't afford for it to be a problem again this time around against the Blue Devils. Federiko Federiko and Blake Hinson will be key - they need to hold their own against a Duke frontcourt that can send waves of talented bigs at you all game. 

Devils Enter on Fire

Duke is back ina familiar spot in the AP top-25 after winning six in a row to end the regular season and nine of their last 11. The Blue Devils are the hottest team in the ACC entering the conference tournament in Greensboro while Pitt stumbled entering March.

Pitt will not only be facing an unfavorable matchup but a disadvantage in momentum. They'll hope to reverse that trend and throw some cold water on the Blue Devils' hot entrance to the postseason by earning a massive win. 

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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: