GAME THREAD: Pittsburgh Panthers vs Iowa State Cyclones

The Pittsburgh Panthers need to hold their luck going this St. Patrick’s day with hopes to drag one other upset in March. After beating the Bulldogs in a slugfest, the Panthers need to construct off that momentum towards the Iowa State Cyclones. On this 11 vs 6 matchup, the Panthers will once more have a brawl on their fingers to advance.

Pitt is a five-point underdog and ESPN analytics give the Panthers solely a 32.9% likelihood on the upset immediately, however in March you may at all times anticipate the sudden. The Panthers have been additionally underdogs towards a Mississippi State crew that performs an identical model of basketball and got here away with an exciting win.

Iowa State prides itself on being among the finest defensive groups within the nation coming in at twenty second within the nation in scoring protection. One huge distinction between the 2 applications is their three-point defenses which may show to be the x-factor. The Cyclones for all their defensive vitality solely rank 182nd nationally, one thing the Panthers might want to make the most of in the event that they need to survive and advance.

Iowa State is on a little bit of a skid coming into this recreation shedding 8 of their final 10 however that shouldn’t make the Panthers really feel any extra assured. Of these losses, just one was towards a crew that didn’t make the sector and so they have been capable of steal two video games towards the Baylor Bears within the course of.

If the Panthers wish to advance all eyes might be on a former member of the opposing program to assist elevate Pitt to the upset. Blake Hinson was part of Iowa State however transferred after a training change and sitting out the COVID season with a non-medical situation. Whereas Hinson has no exhausting emotions for the Cyclones, the switch might want to make his presence felt to assist information the Panthers to the spherical of 32.

Use this as your recreation thread for immediately’s matchup. The sport may be caught on TruTV so when you’re out at your native bar exterior the Pittsburgh space to rejoice immediately let your bartender know to have that channel able to go.