PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Along with Panthers fans waiting last year during the NCAA Tournament Selection Show, the Pitt team was watching and hoping to get in after finishing fourth in the ACC with 22 wins. It obviously wasn’t to be, but isn’t forgotten.
Pitt was one of the ‘First Four Out’ last season, meaning exactly that, they were that close to the NCAA Tournament. It’s not what those in royal blue want to see on CBS-TV. There is a constant reminder of that for the players as they come to work at the Petersen Events Center.
“We all know it,” said Pitt guard Jaland Lowe. “It doesn’t have to be said. It’s on our wall every day as we walk into the locker room. We have a screen, it says ‘First Four Out’ and we are on that screen. It’s loud and clear for us to see each day.”
“It’s going to be up there until we change it and actually leave no doubt,” said Pitt forward Zach Austin. “Until we get in the Tournament and make some noise, it’s going to continue to be on there and continue to motivate us.”
‘Leave no doubt’ is one of the sayings Pitt, currently 18th in the AP Top 25, is using this year to make sure the only drama on Selection Sunday is where and who they are playing in the NCAA Tournament.
They want to make a statement. You might say the comeback against Ohio State was a statement, but even with that, Austin said it’s behind them now. They got two more road games as part of a five-game stretch away from home.
It starts with Mississippi State, a team receiving votes in the AP Top 25. The Bulldogs are 6-1 with its best win beating SMU. All SEC guard Josh Hubbard is averaging 19.1 points with 24 assists to ONE turnover in over 207 minutes. The 5’11” Hubbard has made 26 three-pointers, shooting 45%. TKSU is averaging 85 points-a-game with a 7.4 turnover margin. Then ACC play begins at Virginia Tech on Saturday.
Lowe said they want to be more consistent going forward, not having to come back like they have had to in the last two wins. They feel comfortable on the road, top five in road wins over the last couple of seasons. Wednesday it’s about continuing that journey towards removing a sign they see every day.
“I don’t like seeing it,” Lowe said. “I’m not going to lie. They can take it down, now.”
“It’s a great reminder to know just the feeling of what we had last year and that we don’t want to go through it again.”
The Voice of the Panthers Bill Hillgrove, Pitt great Curtis Aiken and Cale Berger start pregame at 8:45 on Wednesday night with tip at 9:15p on 93.7 The Fan.