Pitt vs Duke: Panthers Eye Marquee Win

The Pitt Panthers host No. 11 Duke, looking to notch a marquee win for the first time this season.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers are staring down the barrel of their biggest challenge yet this season with No. 11 Duke coming to town this week 

Game Info
Opponent: No. 11 Duke (11-3 overall, 2-1 ACC)
Time: 9:00 p.m. EST
Location: Petersen Events Center; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Broadcast: ACC Network and 93.7 The Fan

Odds
The Panthers are 5.5-point underdogs to the No. 11 team in the land. Pitt can be picked for +168 odds on the moneyline, compared to -205 for Duke. The point total line has been set at 146, per Action Network. 

Three Storylines

Comforts of Home vs. Road Woes
Three of Pitt's five losses have come on their home floor and two of Duke's three losses have come on the road. Something has got to give here. 

The Blue Devils' first loss was a respectable one, even if it was at Cameron Indoor Stadium to an Arizona team that has hung in the top 10 of the AP poll for the entire season. But they've suffered two ugly losses as well - one to a capable Arkansas squad and another to a rebuilding Georgia Tech squad that has talent, but still figures to be a ways away from serious competing. For as strong as Duke's been this year, they're vulnerable away from home. 

Meanwhile, the Panthers have failed to seriously defend homecourt against equal competition so far this season. Three high-major teams have visited the Petersen Events Center this season and all of them - Missouri, Clemson and Noth Carolina have won.

Pitt will hope to make the Pete a fortress again after racking up a 14-3 record at home last season. The homecourt advantage hasn't provided much so far this season, but with school back in session and students back in the stands, the Panthers hope that will change. 

Chance for a Marquee Win
The Panthers own a respectable record and position in the various rankings systems that dictate much of the conversation around NCAA Tournament bids when late February and early March roll around. But that resume is built largely on wins over mid-majors and struggling Power 5 teams. 

Pitt is a long way off from an NCAA Tournament-worthy resume but there's a lot of ball left to play and they'll have opportunities to build that resume. But they've squandered a lot of the big games that could have covered for whatever deficiences might come up during the meat grinder of ACC play. 

With that in mind, this is a huge opportunity for the Panthers, really one of their very few chances left to earn a marquee win before the conference tournament. The margin for error continues to get smaller, making each big game even bigger. 

Pitt Facing Health Issues
The Panthers played and won down in Louisville without starting guard - their third leading scorer, leading rebounder and best perimeter defender - Ishmael Leggett. He suffered a shoulder injury against Syracuse, struggled against North Carolina and sat out against Lousiville. 

There's a chance he plays against the Blue Devils but it's up in the air, according to Pitt head coach Jeff Capel. The Panthers desperately need his scoring punch, rebounding abilities and veteran leadership against such a physical, athletic and veteran-ladden team. But they'll have to wait until right before tip-off to see if he'll go. 

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