Pitt vs Duke in ACC Tournament: Game Info, Odds, Three Storylines
PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers earned a date with Duke by knocking Georgia Tech out of the ACC Tournament in the second round. The Panthers won convincingly in the
Game Info
Opponent: No. 21 Duke (23-8 overall, 14-6 ACC)
Time: 2:30 PM EST
Location: Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, North Carolina
Broadcast: ESPN2 and 93.7 The Fan
Odds
Duke is a six-point favorite over Pitt. The Panthers are +198 on the moneyline and their opponents are -247. The point total line has been set at 141.5.
Three Storylines
In Enemy Territory
While the ACC Tournament is played at what is technically a neutral site at the Greensboro Coliseum, it will feel like a home game for Duke. While there will be some stray Wake Forest, North Carolina and NC State fans in the building eager to cheer for the Bleu Devils' demise, the pro-Duke crowd will no doubt outnumber the Panther fans in attendance.
Battle on the Boards
In the first meeting between these two teams, Pitt lost the rebounding battle by 23 and Duke's 24-9 advantage in offensive rebounding led to a 19-8 lead in second chance points. Star freshmen Kyle Filipowski and veteran transfer Ryan Young combined for 25 rebounds and Filipowski scored 28 points.
Pitt held a double-digit lead in the second half but their inability to finish off defensive rebounds resulted in a brutal loss. It was a problem in the regular season finale against Miami and they can't afford for it to be a problem again this time around against the Blue Devils. Federiko Federiko and Blake Hinson will be key - they need to hold their own against a Duke frontcourt that can send waves of talented bigs at you all game.
Devils Enter on Fire
Duke is back ina familiar spot in the AP top-25 after winning six in a row to end the regular season and nine of their last 11. The Blue Devils are the hottest team in the ACC entering the conference tournament in Greensboro while Pitt stumbled entering March.
Pitt will not only be facing an unfavorable matchup but a disadvantage in momentum. They'll hope to reverse that trend and throw some cold water on the Blue Devils' hot entrance to the postseason by earning a massive win.
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