Pitt vs. North Florida: Panthers look to extend winning streak against Ospreys

Fresh off their blowout win against Duquesne in the City Game earlier this week, Pitt looks to extend its growing winning streak over North Florida on Saturday night at the Pete.

The Panthers are 8-1 and have now won four games in a row since the team's close loss to Michigan in Madison Square Garden a few weeks ago. Just as important is that Pitt hasn't let up since then, punishing opponents by winning by an average margin of 26 points a game.

Things shouldn't be much different when the Ospreys come to the Petersen Events Center this weekend. North Florida is an uninspiring 3-5 and their most impressive game of the season may have been an eight-point loss to 4-4 Florida State on the road.

Senior guard Parker Smith could give Pitt a bit of trouble, though. He's the team's leading scorer, averaging nearly 18 points a game he's averaged more than 20 per game over North Florida's last four contests. Even more impressive is that he's played well against the team's last two big games against Florida State and ranked Minnesota. Pitt has had some trouble with star guards and it's possible he has a big game.

Another thing to watch for is how the bench bounces back from its poor showing against Duquesne. The reserves combined for only eight points in that game on a dismal 3-of-19 shooting. Buoyed by upperclassmen J.J. Moore, Trey Zeigler, and Dante Taylor, I expect it to get off to a good start.

The game starts at 7:00 p.m. and can be seen on ESPN3.