Inside The Panthers

Joe Lunardi Advances Pitt in NCAA Tournament Projections

The Pitt Panthers moved up after an impressive win over Wake Forest.
Stephen Thompson|
Joe Lunardi Advances Pitt in NCAA Tournament Projections
Joe Lunardi Advances Pitt in NCAA Tournament Projections

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Pittsburgh Panthers

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Pitt Panthers entered the first game of their ACC Tournament run desperately needing a win to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive and they upheld their end of the bargain for a day. 

With an 81-69 win over Wake Forest in the ACC quarterfinals, Pitt got a bump in the latest NCAA Tournament Projections from ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi. He moved the Panthers up from the Next Four Out line to the First Four Out. 

Texas A&M, New Mexico and Kansas State comprise the rest of the First Four Out. They, plus Pitt, are chasing Seton Hall, Colorado, Virginia and Indiana State - the Last Four In. The Pirates already bowed out of the Big East Tournament with a 91-72 loss to St. John's. 

Now inches away from cracking the NCAA Tournament field, Pitt draws top-seeded North Carolina in the semifinals of the ACC Tournament at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. the following day. Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m. and ESPN will carry the broadcast. 

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NC State Win Lifts Pitt's NCAA Tournament Resume

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:

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