Inside The Panthers

Pitt Way Off Early NCAA Tournament Bubble

The Pitt Panthers have a ways to go before their resume is NCAA Tournament-worthy.

Stephen Thompson

Pitt Way Off Early NCAA Tournament Bubble
Pitt Way Off Early NCAA Tournament Bubble /
In this story:

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers are off to a strong start in 2023-24, but they are still a long way from NCAA Tournament-worthy, according to at least one long-time bracket analyst. 

ESPN's Joe Lunardi, widely considered one of the best NCAA Tournament bracket builders out there, has Pitt as the No. 81 overall team in his latest evaluations but they have a chance to improve that resume this week at the Petersen Events Center against another team battling for bubble contention in No. 92 Missouri. 

The Panthers are 5-1 but their one loss came in blowout fashion to a Florida team that ranks No. 28 in KenPom and of their five wins, just one has come against a team ranked in the top 200 and that team - Oregon State - just barely makes the cut at No. 190. 

They've taken care of business against those opponents, winning by an average of 33 points, but the quality of their schedule drags their resume down. The Panthers currently sit at just 56th in NCAA NET Rankings, according to CBS Sports. 

The Tigers come into Pittsburgh ranked 47th in the NET, making this week's ACC-SEC Challenge matchup at the Petersen Events Center a crucial benchmark for both squads. 

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Panthers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage, and more!

Pitt Brings Important Lessons Home From Brooklyn

Pitt Rival Set to Hire New HC

Pitt vs Missouri: Game Info, Odds, Three Storylines

Pitt F Played Through Illness During Brooklyn Trip

Pitt LB Enters Transfer Portal

Pitt CB Declares For NFL Draft

Published
Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper.  He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press.  During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.  You can reach Stephen by email at stephenethompson00@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter. Read his latest work:

Home/Basketball