Pitt's NCAA Tournament Hopes Shrink After Bubble Wins

The Pitt Panthers lost alongside several fellow bubble teams on Friday.

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Pitt Panthers failed to secure its path to the NCAA Tournament after losing to No. 4 North Carolina, but their hopes weren't completely dashed as a number of other bubble teams around the country suffered a similar fate. Still, key wins from at-large hopefuls have narrowed as Selection Sunday draws near. 

A day after prevailing over Ole Miss, Texas A&M has the makings of a tournament lock after beating No. 9 Kentucky 97-87 and earning a Quad 1 win in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament. The Aggies advanced into Lunardi's Last Four Byes, meaning that they are comfortably in the field and have removed any doubts about what side of the cut line they'll find themselves on come Selection Sunday. 

Colorado more than likely secured a spot in the field as well with a 58-52 victory over No. 22 Washington State in the semifinals of the Pac-12 Tournament, making Pitt's chances of earning a bid all the more complicated. The Buffaloes currently sit among Lunardi's Last Four In, though they figure to move up once his projections account for their win. 

Colorado can eliminate any suspense by defeating Oregon in the conference title game on Saturday and earning an auto bid, which would also thwart the Ducks' bid-stealing expedition after they beat No. 6 Arizona 67-59 in a major upset on Friday. 

New Mexico captured its second Quad 1 win of the Mountain West Tournament in as many days after winning 74-61 against Colorado State in the semifinals. The Lobos found themselves as Lunardi's first team out and two spots in front of Pitt before their victory and will almost certainly see a boost now as they are on track to reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2013-14 campaign. 

Virginia sits in a similar position to the Panthers as both teams lost in the semifinals of the ACC Tournament and remain squarely on the bubble to plenty to ruminate about before Sunday. The Cavaliers' loss dropped them down into becoming the last team in the field according to ESPN's Joe Lunardi while simultaneously keeping a bid stealer alive in NC State alive, which could further cloud the bubble picture should the Wolfpack finish the job against the Tar Heels in the title game.

In the Big East Tournament semifinals, Providence drew a depleted No. 10 Marquette squad yet couldn't emerge triumphant as it lost 79-68. The Friars are positioned just a spot behind Pitt as the final team within Lunardi's First Four Out and share their longshot odds with the Panthers.

Ohio State looked as though it was primed to continue its unlikely run early in the second half of its Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals bout with Illinois, though a 77-74 loss kept the Buckeyes a tier behind Pitt within Lunardi's Next Four Out as they hold no real shot at a tournament berth. 

The Panthers are ranked as the third team out of the dance by Lunardi with no room left to improve their standing on their own, leaving them with a feeling of dread as they wait with their fingers crossed for their name to be called on Selection Sunday.

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