After a slow start to the conference schedule, the Panthers have turned things around. Heading into the final seven games of the season Pitt has a much better resume than it did a few weeks ago.
The Panthers now sit at 16-8 overall and 7-6 in ACC play after winning six of their last eight games. Jeff Capel’s team has picked up two Quad 1 wins on the road against Duke and Virginia.
This kind of a stretch is exactly what Pitt needed to get back into consideration for the NCAA Tournament. Joe Lunardi’s latest breakdown of the ACC has Pitt being considered and right behind Wake Forest that is in the “First Four Out” category. In other words, the Panthers are knocking on the door for the dance.
Takeaway #1: Jaland Lowe has been a huge boost for the Panthers
Lowe first made his big impact for Pitt off the bench against North Carolina. Over the last eight games, the freshman guard averages 14.4 points per game and has provided Capel with another scoring option besides Blake Hinson, Bub Carrington and Ishmael Leggett. Lowe really got involved in the nail-biting win over NC State that saw him set a new season and career high with 20 points. His range for the Panthers gives him the opportunity to shoot from anywhere in the front court and provide a spark as a starter or on the bench.
Even when Lowe is not scoring, his presence has helped significantly on the defensive side of the ball. Over the last eight games, Lowe averages over one steal per game to help give Pitt extra possessions. The extra possessions have certainly been helpful with winning games as the Panthers have gone 3-1 in their last four games when the game has been decided by five points or less.
Takeaway #2: Pitt’s rebounding is finally starting to improve
It took Pitt halfway through the season to learn rebounding better than your opponent leads to better play and more wins, but better late than never. The Panthers have won the battle of the glass in six of their last eight matchups; the two games against Miami and Wake Forest where Pitt did not control the boards led to an even 1-1 split. When Capel’s group won the rebound battle, they were a perfect 6-0.
Despite Jorge Diaz Graham being ruled out for the season after having ankle surgery, the Panthers have found other ways to be successful on the boards. Carrington has really stepped up in this category as the freshman guard is averaging 5.5 rebounds per game over Pitt’s 6-2 stretch. Even though Ishmael Leggett has been moved to the “sixth man” role with Lowe earning his way into the starting lineup, Leggett has continued to be a steady presence with bringing in rebounds. This style of play needs to continue for the Panthers the rest of the season and into the ACC Tournament.
Takeaway #3: The Panthers now control their own destiny into the NCAA Tournament
Just three to four weeks ago, March Madness seemed like a fever dream. But now, the opportunity is right there for Pitt to go dancing for the second consecutive year. Of the final seven games, the Panthers have four of them at home with the most difficult two being at the end of the season in Florida State and NC State. Those would both currently be Quad 2 wins for Pitt. However, the team still has a chance to pick up a Quad 1 win at Clemson and a borderline Quad 1 win at Wake Forest. If the Demon Deacons continue to win and move up in NET, that will become a definitive Quad 1 win.
Pitt still may need a win or two in the ACC Tournament to fully secure its spot in March Madness like we saw last year. As long as this Panthers group can avoid being blown out in the conference tournament for the second consecutive year, making the field of 68 teams should be more than achievable for Capel and company.
The Panthers start the last stretch of the season on Saturday at the Petersen Events Center against Louisville. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m.