The Pitt Panthers did not have the season that many envisioned for them, but they still have a good chance to make a splash in the Big East Tournament this week, and they got off to a good start with a win over St. John's on Tuesday. They'll face a tough Georgetown team on Wednesday that got the benefit of a first round bye. The Panthers beat the Hoyas in the regular season, and according to John Grupp of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Pitt is expecting a motivated Georgetown squad.
"I'm sure they are going to remember that we beat them and they are going to come out hard, just like St. John's did," point guard Tray Woodall said. "We've just got to be ready for them."
The game in question came just about six weeks ago on Jan. 28, a 72-60 home win for the Panthers. Nasir Robinson was the star of the game, going 9-9 from the field for 23 points. The big story might have been that Pitt had 20 assists on 25 made shots, meaning that their ball movement got them efficient shots. They shot over 52% from the field in that game. They might need to replicate that kind of performance if they want to knock Georgetown off on neutral ground. Luckily, coach Jaime Dixon believes in his guys.
"I tell our guys that I believe our best basketball is in our next game here," Dixon said. "We did some good things (against St. John's). I think we can be a better team (against Georgetown), and I believe that's what you want to be."
For more on the Panthers, visit Cardiac Hill, SB Nation's Pitt blog. For more on the Mountaineers, check The Smoking Musket, SB Nation's WVU blog. For all your Big East news during championship week, check out Big East Coast Bias. Click here for more on the 2012 Big East Tournament.