Pitt Re-Enters NCAA Tournament Conversation

The Pitt Panthers are back on the outskirts of the NCAA Tournament bubble.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers were on the verge of spiraling back into anonymity, nullifying a 4-0 start by losing three of their first four games against Power 5 competition. 

But a dominant win on the road against rival West Virginia has stabilized Pitt and put them back in the NCAA Tournament conversation, according to ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi. In his latest seeding update, he has the Panthers as one of several teams that are "considered" for a spot in early projections. 

FIRST FOUR OUT: Butler, Oregon, Ole Miss, Texas Tech; NEXT FOUR OUT: New Mexico, So Carolina, Washington, Wazzu; FOUR MORE: Iowa, Utah, NC State, St. John's. CONSIDERED: VaTech, Utah St, Drake, Pitt, Nebraska, Mizzou, ASU, Michigan, SanFran, BoiseSt.

— Joe Lunardi (@ESPNLunardi) December 8, 2023

Joining the Panthers in the "considered" category is Virginia Tech, Utah State, Drake, Nebraska, Missouri, Arizona State, Michigan, San Francisco and Boise State. 

Five ACC teams - North Carolina, Clemson, Miami, Virginia, Duke - cracked the projected field of 68. Three more - NC State, the Hokies and Panthers - were in some subcategory of teams just on the outside looking in. 

Pitt, sitting at 6-3 overall and 0-1 in ACC play currently, has three games against mid or low-majors lined up before a trip to Syracuse the day before New Year's Eve kicks off the real bulk of ACC play. There's a chance to build yet more momentum before the grind of a conference schedule begins. 

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