Pittsburgh Basketball Still Trying To Find Their Place In The Mighty ACC

Certain teams just have other teams’ numbers. That’s a very old cliche, but it still holds true from time to time. Truthfully, following a season sweep of the Pittsburgh Panthers by the Louisville Cardinals, you could claim we’re seeing the manifestation of that with these two teams. Both joined the ACC at the same time, and that brought basketball fans a lot of excitement as many salivated at the possibilities. Two great basketball programs would help elevate the conference back to basketball superiority. Louisville looks to be doing their part, but Pittsburgh appears to be a program with two identities; and you never know which one will show up from game to game.

Many believed this team would take the next step this year. No, they weren’t going to win the ACC, but at least they wouldn’t take a step backwards either. At least that’s what most thought. The Panthers jumped out of the gate and won 14 of their first 15. They followed that by losing six out of nine. That was followed by a two game winning streak. Then, as stated before, they ran into those pesky Cardinals who just can’t seem to get what seemingly the entire country keeps saying through their heads. They’re supposed to have nothing to play for.

Pittsburgh has done the exact same thing they did last year. There was a fast start, wins against pretty solid teams and losses they couldn’t explain. Yes, that can be said about every team in the NCAA, but double-digit losses to the Clemson Tigers and NC State Wolfpack still have many of us scratching our heads. Actually, had the season ended on Feb. 24, they would have finished behind Clemson in the ACC standings.

With three games remaining, expect them to lose to the Duke Blue Devils and win their last two. That has Pitt finishing in the lower portion of the ACC and unranked, which isn’t what anyone was expecting.