PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It was the game that broke a five-game losing streak and the game that really soured some national experts on the Panthers. Now Pitt (21-10) has a chance to avenge it in Thursday afternoon in the ACC Tournament.
It was February 20 in North Carolina and Wake Forest ran out to a double-digit lead about midway through the first half. It was all Demon Deacons that day, shooting 58% from the floor, 54% from three, even 91% from the foul line. Kevin Miller led with 18 points, Hunter Sallis 3-3 from 3 with 17 points. Wake Forest did everything right that day.
What will happen Thursday in Washington DC?
It’s what very well could be a ‘play-in’ game for the NCAA Tournament with Wake Forest now 20-12 after beating Notre Dame 72-59 on Wednesday afternoon.
In the game the Panthers won 77-72 at the Petersen Events Center a couple of weeks prior, Pitt held WF to 27% shooting from three. While being outrebounded by six in that game, Pitt forced 15 turnovers.
The Panthers are also sharing the ball better since that loss in Winston-Salem, 56 total assists in the last three games. There has also been a resurgence in Bub Carrington’s scoring, averaging 20 points a game over the last four. Giving defenses another player to worry about offensively other than Blake Hinson.
There has also been the recent double-double from Jaland Lowe and double-figure scoring games from Federiko Federiko, Zach Austin and Ishmael Leggett.
Hinson said before the team left for Washington DC the only way to assure yourself of a bid to the NCAA Tournament is by winning. They get their shot after the program’s first ever double-bye Thursday at approximately 2:30p.
Chris Mueller starts Panthers pregame at 1:30 and then will hand it over to Bill Hillgrove, Curtis Aiken and Cale Berger starting at 2p on 93.7 The Fan. Rejoin Mueller for reaction after the ACC quarterfinal matchup.