Pitt vs Virginia Tech: Getting Back On Track

The Pitt Panthers look to get back to their winning ways with the Hokies in town.

PITTSBURGH -- Fresh off of their worst loss of the season, the Pitt Panthers are looking to rebound with Virginia Tech in town. 

Both sides are clinging to NCAA Tournament odds that are dwindling with each passing week and that will give the arena some juice for a big game between the Hokies and Panthers. 

Game Info
Opponent: Virginia Tech (15-11 overall, 7-8 ACC)
Time: 5:30 p.m. EST
Location: Petersen Events Center; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Broadcast: The CW and 93.7 The Fan

Odds
Pitt is a 3.5-point favorite over Virginia Tech, according to Action Network, with moneyline odds of -162 to +134 for the Hokies. The point total line has been set at 143.5.

Three Storylines

Getting Back On Track
The Panthers played perhaps their worst game of the 2023-24 season the last time out. They surrendered more points than they had in any game this season and posted their third-lowest scoring total of the of the season. Pitt has had an affinity for playing their best games in the biggest spot but not this time but these road warriors couldn't snap Wake Forests' perfect 13-0 home record. 

The good news is that, after snapping their five-game winning streak on the road, Pitt will return home to face a Virginia Tech team that has played well recently, but still lost four of their last six games. As the Panthers continue to cling to slimming NCAA Tournament odds, this has become an even bigger game because of the Wake Forest loss. 

Hokies Heating Up
Virginia Tech lost four of five games to open ACC play. Then they won three in row before losing three in a row and the roller coaster is back on the upswing after wins in two of their last three contests, including a dominant, 34-point victory over Virginia at home earlier this week. 

The Hokies themselves have snuck back on to the NCAA Tournament bubble and are playing with purpose, just like the postseason-helpful Panthers. Both squads are separated by just a game in the crowded ACC standings and will be fighting for their NCAA Tournament hopes at the Petersen Events Center. 

Battle in the Backcourt
The strength of the Hokies is in their backcourt with junior Sean Pedulla and senior Hunter Cattoor. Pedulla is a do-it-all point guard, leading the Hokies in scoring and assists while also ranking third on the team in rebounding. Cattoor, meanwhile, is deadly from 3-point range, shooting 42.9% 

It's another big challenge for Bub Carrington and Jaland Lowe in a season that's been full of them. Pitt's two young star guards struggled mightilty last time out, combining for 21 points on 7-26 shooting. The entire team didn't play well against the Demon Deacons but they have come to rely on an offensive punch from these two young guards and they'll need a bounce-back performance from them to contend with the Hokies' experienced backcourt. 

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