Game Preview: Miami (18-11) at Pitt (19-11)



Game Time: 8:00

TV: thisTV

After a depressing road loss to Wake Forest, the Pitt Panthers are in a virtually must-win scenario tonight against Miami.  A loss would nearly kill the Pitt's chance at a at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament.  A win adds an all important top 100 RPI win to the resume and clinches at least a .500 record in the ACC regular season.  Miami is looking to add the same to their bubble resume.

Pitt Breakdown:                                                            :Miami Breakdown

Top Scorers

Jamel Artis- 13.7 PPG                                                         Sheldon McClellan 14.9 PPG

Mike Young- 13.4 PPG                                                            Angel Rodriguez 12.3 PPG

Top Rebounders

Mike Young- 7.4 REB                                                                  Tonye Jekiri 10.4 REB

Jamel Artis- 6.0 REB                                                            Sheldon McClellan 4.6 REB

Top Assists

James Robinson- 5.1 APG                                                      Angel Rodriguez 4.2 APG

Cameron Wright- 3.0 APG                                                   Sheldon McClellan 2.0 APG

Last Five Games

Pitt

• 2/14 W 89-76 UNC
• 2/16 L 61-49 UVA
• 2/21 W 65-61 SYR
• 2/24 W 71-65 BC
• 3/1 L 69-66 WF

Miami

• 2/16 W 89-86 OT BC
• 2/18 W 76-52 VT
• 2/21 L 55-53 LOU
• 2/25 W 81-77 FSU
• 2/28 L 73-64 UNC

Prediciton

With the the injuries two Miami's two leading scorers, McClellan (groin) and Rodriguez (wrist), the Panthers should be able to rebound from the disappointing Wake Forest loss.  Even if at full strength, Miami would have had trouble coming into the Pete and winning.  Without them, the Hurricanes will have trouble scoring and Pitt will be able to control this game.  Pitt 72 Miami 59.

Game Preview: Pitt (19-10) at Wake Forest (12-16)

Game Time: 6:30

TV: ESPNU/WatchESPN

Coming off their win at home against Boston College Tuesday night, the Panthers hope to continue their battle back into the NCAA Tournament picture.  While they have performed poorly on the road for most of the season, Pitt was able to survive their last road game at Syracuse.  Wake Forest is coming off an embarrassing home loss to #2 Virginia on Wednesday night.  The 70-34 defeat was the Demon Deacons third straight loss and their eighth loss in their last 11 games.  

Pitt Breakdown:                                                                          :Wake Breakdown

Top Scorers

Jamel Artis- 13.5 PPG                                                             Codi Miller-McIntyre- 14.0 PPG

Mike Young- 13.1 PPG                                                                     Devin Thomas- 12.9 PPG

Top Rebounders

Mike Young- 7.3 REB                                                                        Devin Thomas- 9.4 REB

Jamel Artis- 5.9 REB                                                                Codi Miller-McIntyre- 5.0 REB 

Top Assists

James Robinson- 5.2 APG                                                        Codi Miller-McIntyre- 4.1 APG

Josh Newkirk- 3.1 APG                                                                    Madison Jones- 3.3 APG

Last Five Games

Pitt

• 2/11 L 69-56 Lou
• 2/14 W 89-76 UNC
• 2/16 L 61-49 UVA
• 2/21 W 65-61 SYR
• 2/24 W 71-65 BC

Wake Forest

• 2/7 L 73-59 GT
• 2/11 W 72-70 MIA
• 2/14 L 61-60 UVA
• 2/17 L 88-75 ND
• 2/25 L 70-34 UVA

Prediciton

With just a 2-7 record on the road this year, the Panthers should not overlook any team while traveling to their arena, however, it is hard to picture Pitt losing this game given the way both teams have been playing recently.  Pitt will have trouble on the boards, but should control the game everywhere else.  Final: Pitt 76-Wake 67.

Bubble Watch: Saturday 2/28

Notes on the Finals:

• The big winner in the earlier games was obviously Dayton.  Their win on the rank over a ranked VCU will most likely clinch there spot in the tourney.
• The big loser was to NC State.  Losing to a bad BC team is pretty unacceptable.  I initially did not include the Wolfpack on this bubble watch, but with the loss they are obviously back on the bubble.  
• Sticking to the ACC, Miami could have definitely used a win at home against UNC.  I still don't believe the loss is not a fatal blow.
• Teams that did what they had to: Cincinnati, Rhode Island, St. Johns and LSU.

Most to Gain: Texas and BYU.  Both face top ten opponents on the road.  Securing a win will go far in finishing the resume.

Most to Lose: Texas A&M and Northwestern.  While the Aggies do not have many big wins, they have been able to avoid the bad loss.  Losing at home to Auburn would changed that.  Illinois has lost 3 straight and fourth straight at home against Northwestern would end most of their tourney hopes.


Here is a complete list of bubble teams/games to watch Saturday while Pitt has the day off (Bubble Teams are in Bold):

American 

• Cincinnati 63 at Tulane 47 Final ESPNNews 
• Tulsa at Memphis 8:00 PM ESPNU

Atlantic 10

• Rhode Island 59 at La Salle 56 Final NBC Sports
• Dayton 59 at 22 VCU 55 Final ESPN2
• George Washington at Davidson 7:00 PM MASN2/TWNC

ACC

• 15 North Carolina 73 at Miami 64 Final CBS

Big 12

• Texas at 8 Kansas 5:00 PM ESPN

Big East

• Georgetown 70 at St Johns  81 Final  PM CBS

Big Ten

• Iowa at Penn State  6:00 PM ESPNU
• Northwestern at Illinois 7:00 PM BTN

Mountain West

• Boise State at 24 San Diego St 8:00 PM ESPN2

SEC

• Auburn at Texas A&M 8:30 PM SEC Network
• Ole Miss 63 at LSU 73 Final FSN

WCC

• BYU at 3 Gonzaga 10:00 PM ESPN2