Pitt Loses Ground in ACC Standings

The Pitt Panthers lost some ground in the ACC standings while waiting for tip off against Virginia Tech.

PITTSBURGH -- While the Pitt Panthers were waiting for their game against Virginia Tech to tip off, their peers elsewhere around the ACC were busy gaining ground in the standings. 

NC State, who entered the day tied with Pitt for fourth place in the ACC, blew out Boston College to improve to 9-7 in league play. And Wake Forest picked up a massive win over Duke to extend their advantage over the Panthers to a game and a half with a 10-6 record in league play. 

The Panthers will have to beat a confident Virginia Tech team that gave them problems last season in a 79-72 victory at Cassel Coliseum to keep pace with some other risers around the league. 

Syracuse also pulled out a close win over Notre Dame at home to stay attached to a group of teams battling for a coveted double-bye in the ACC Tournament. They hold a 9-8 ACC record and tail fourth-place Wake Forest by just two games with four left to play in the regular season.

The Demon Deacons certainly made Pitt's late-January win over them look better, but they cost them in the standings. But as Pitt continues to chase an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, their focus will be on picking up a win over the Hokies at home and getting back on track after an ugly defeat to Wake Forest earlier this week. 

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