Pitt will face off against the 13th seeded Yellow Jackets
Game Time: 2:30 PM
Opponent: Georgia Tech
Head Coach: Josh Pastner (7th season)
Conference: ACC
Current Record: 15-17 (6-14)
Last Game: W 61-60 vs Florida State
Top Player: G Miles Kelly (14.2 ppg)
Last Meeting: Pitt 76 GT 68 on 2/21/2023
What we said in the recap: “At the final buzzer, Pitt was on top 76-68. It was an ugly win, but a win all the same. Pitt moves to 20-8 and 13-4 in ACC play.”
Georgia Tech advanced into the second round this afternoon with a 61-60 victory of Florida State. Tech trailed by 10 at halftime before slowly eating way at the lead during the second half. They tied it at 53 before FSU answered with a 7-2 run. Unfortunately for the Seminoles they would not score again. GT held for the final shot. They missed a dunk initially but got filed on a second chance, made the free throw, and moved on to take on Pitt.
A win tomorrow would help Pitt feel a tad bit safer on Selection Sunday, and most likely keep them out of the play-in game. Although Pitt has beaten GT twice so far this season, neither game was a blowout, and GT has been playing better lately.
Keys to the game:
- Three point shooting defense – Georgia Tech has been on fire from long range for the last few weeks, topping out with an 18 for 40 performance against Syracuse on 2/28. They were only 8 for 29 today against FSU, but they made them when they counted. Miles Kelly has hit at least 4 triples in each of his last 5 games.
- Fatigue – Georgia Tech only played six players today (and one of them only played 7). They’ve been bit hard by the injury bug as Deivon Smith, who had 15 and 11 in the first meeting against Pitt, has been out since 2/11 with an ankle injury. Tristan Maxwell and Rodney Howard are also out.
- Nelly Cummings – Cummings has the most postseason experience of anyone on the roster, having previously played in the tournament with Colgate. I believe he is due for a big night to help push the Panthers into the next round.
Prediction: It’s close, but Pitt pulls away in the last ten minutes.