Pitt (#25 per Massey vs. Stanford #86) is favored by 11-1/2. The Panthers are 11-2, 8-0 at home. Best win: 91-90 in OT @ Ohio State. Losses to Wisconsin and Mississippi State. They have a 14-game win streak at home. They are 2nd in the ACC in FG% (49.0) and effective FG% (56.4). They are 3rd in scoring (84.2). They are 11-0 when they win or tie the rebound battle. In their 2 losses, they were outrebounded by 4 & 22.
Injuries to Pitt's 2 most experienced players could be a big factor in this game. Damian Dunn (#1, 6'-5"/205 Gr G) in his 6th year (4 @ Temple, 1 @ Houston) started the first 7 games, scoring 13ppg, including 10 of 19 3s. He hasn't played since Nov. 24 due to a hand injury and I haven't seen anything indicating when he might return to action. Ishmael Leggett (#5, 6'-3"/185 Sr G) in his 5th year (3 @ Rhode Island) started the first 12 games, leading the team in scoring (17.5 ppg) & rebounding (6.1 rpg). He was the ACC 6th Man of the Year last season. He missed the Cal game after rolling an ankle in practice on Sunday. I expect there's a good chance he will be able to play today.
Three players have started every game: #15 Jaland Lowe (6'3"/175 Soph G) also scores 17.5 ppg and leads in assists (6.1 apg); #2 Cameron Corhen (6'10"/235 Jr F, 2 yrs @ Florida State) averages 11.1 ppg (on 70% shooting - 60/86) and 5.7 rpg; #25 Guillermo Diaz Graham (7'0"/225 Jr F) also averages 6.1 rpg. Diaz Graham has a twin brother Jorge (#31, 6'11"/215 Jr F) who averages only 6 minutes/game, but is shooting 9/17 on 3s, just 2/3 on 2s, and a perfect 6/6 from the free throw line.
Zack Austin (#55, 6'7"/210 Sr F, 3 seasons @ High Point) has started the last 4 games in Dunn's absence. He averages 9.8 ppg and leads in blocks with 19. Brandon Cummings (#3, 6'3"/175 Fr G) got his first start vs. Cal in Leggett's spot. He averages 8.2 ppg.
In the Cal game, Lowe stepped up with 27 points and 8 assists with Leggett out. Corhen chipped in with 19 points (7/8 from the field) & 11 rebounds and Cummings added 15 points. Pitt started slowly (trailed by 4 at the half), but adjusted nicely to Leggett's absence and won by 12 in what became a physical, and sometimes chippy, game. There were 2 technical fouls on each team. At one point Mark Madsen came out on the floor, restraining one of his players to prevent a confrontation from escalating.
With the injuries, Pitt only used 8 players vs. Cal. Their 2 big starters got into foul trouble - Corhen fouled out & Guillermo Diaz had 4. Maybe Stanford can take advantage. But they will probably need to shoot it like they did early in the Clemson game, be ready for a physical game, and take better care of the ball.
Injuries to Pitt's 2 most experienced players could be a big factor in this game. Damian Dunn (#1, 6'-5"/205 Gr G) in his 6th year (4 @ Temple, 1 @ Houston) started the first 7 games, scoring 13ppg, including 10 of 19 3s. He hasn't played since Nov. 24 due to a hand injury and I haven't seen anything indicating when he might return to action. Ishmael Leggett (#5, 6'-3"/185 Sr G) in his 5th year (3 @ Rhode Island) started the first 12 games, leading the team in scoring (17.5 ppg) & rebounding (6.1 rpg). He was the ACC 6th Man of the Year last season. He missed the Cal game after rolling an ankle in practice on Sunday. I expect there's a good chance he will be able to play today.
Three players have started every game: #15 Jaland Lowe (6'3"/175 Soph G) also scores 17.5 ppg and leads in assists (6.1 apg); #2 Cameron Corhen (6'10"/235 Jr F, 2 yrs @ Florida State) averages 11.1 ppg (on 70% shooting - 60/86) and 5.7 rpg; #25 Guillermo Diaz Graham (7'0"/225 Jr F) also averages 6.1 rpg. Diaz Graham has a twin brother Jorge (#31, 6'11"/215 Jr F) who averages only 6 minutes/game, but is shooting 9/17 on 3s, just 2/3 on 2s, and a perfect 6/6 from the free throw line.
Zack Austin (#55, 6'7"/210 Sr F, 3 seasons @ High Point) has started the last 4 games in Dunn's absence. He averages 9.8 ppg and leads in blocks with 19. Brandon Cummings (#3, 6'3"/175 Fr G) got his first start vs. Cal in Leggett's spot. He averages 8.2 ppg.
In the Cal game, Lowe stepped up with 27 points and 8 assists with Leggett out. Corhen chipped in with 19 points (7/8 from the field) & 11 rebounds and Cummings added 15 points. Pitt started slowly (trailed by 4 at the half), but adjusted nicely to Leggett's absence and won by 12 in what became a physical, and sometimes chippy, game. There were 2 technical fouls on each team. At one point Mark Madsen came out on the floor, restraining one of his players to prevent a confrontation from escalating.
With the injuries, Pitt only used 8 players vs. Cal. Their 2 big starters got into foul trouble - Corhen fouled out & Guillermo Diaz had 4. Maybe Stanford can take advantage. But they will probably need to shoot it like they did early in the Clemson game, be ready for a physical game, and take better care of the ball.