Pitt vs Missouri: Game Info, Odds, Three Storylines

The Pitt Panthers return home to host Missouri in the ACC-SEC Challenge.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers split a pair of games at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York against Florida and Oregon State and they'll continue a gauntlet stretch of five straight against high-major opponents this week as they return home.  

The Panthers welcome the Missouri Tigers to the Petersen Events for the first installment of the ACC-SEC Challenge, looking to pick up an impressive non-conference win. 

Game Info
Opponent: Missouri (5-2 overall, 0-0 SEC)
Time: 7:30 p.m. EST
Location: Petersen Events Center; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Broadcast: ESPNU and 93.7 The Fan

Odds
Pitt is a six-point favorite over the Tigers at home, with moneyline odds at +205 to -255 for Missouri. The point total line has been set at 147. 

Three Storylines

Block Party in Oakland
Missouri's adjusted defensive efficiency rating ranks within the top third of Division I basketball and their quality defense is built upon their elite steal rate (24th in Division I) and block rate (second in Division I). The Tigers also force turnovers on 21.1% of opponent possessions, the 58th-highest rate in Division I. 

The Panthers didn't stand up very well against Florida, who wins defensively through similar methods, despite some better size. Pitt head coach Jeff Capel said Pitt improved in how the players responded to physicality after the Florida game, but Missouri is no Oregon State, so they'll need to internalize and expand upon the improvements that helped them turn things around in Brooklyn. 

"We’re going to face a well-coached team that defensively, constantly pressures, picks you up full court, they’ll play 12 or 13 guys and they’re going to be relentless coming after you," he said. "So it’s going to be really important for us to have poise, to be strong, to not get sped up, to make sure we’re organized offensively and defensively and to play with the toughness and physicality that’s necessary in that type of game.”

Comforts of Home
Pitt finished the 2022-23 season 14-3 at home and 10-9 away from the friendly confines of the Petersen Events Center. Early in 2023-24, they're undefeated (4-0) when playing in Pittsburgh and simply .500 away from home. 

Does Pitt, aided by the Oakland Zoo, have one of the best home court advantages in college basketball once again? Possibly, but it's too early to tell. 

There's some necessary context you have to add to those stats, at least those from this year. Pitt played both of its only two games against high-major opponents at a neutral site and faced solely mid-majors at home. This is the first big home test the Panthers have faced and the Tigers will put the Oakland Zoo to the test as well. 

Class Back In Session
While ordinary Pitt students took the week off to celebrate Thanksgiving, the Panthers were still taking lessons from games against the Gators and Beavers. The young Panthers were punched in the mouth against Florida but found a way to recover against Oregon State. 

Head coach Jeff Capel said the Panthers learned a lot - both about themselves and about how to handle different approaches from their opponents. The Tigers, who play in a "chaotic" style, according to Capel, will show them yet another new look that his players will have to digest, adapt to and overcome on the fly. 

"I know they’re going to come after us," Capel said. "It’ll be in a different way from what we’ve seen and we have to be able to handle it. The one thing about our league - there are different styles and so you have to be able to adjust and adapt to whatever different styles teams are playing.”

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