Pitt vs. Maryland Eastern Shore: Open Gamethread

Fresh off a big win against Syracuse, Pitt gets back to it today with the final non-conference game of the year as they face Maryland Eastern Shore. Thus far, the Panthers managed to get through the non-conference slate relatively unscathed, losing only to Purdue. But realistically, the other competition they faced wasn't that great - particularly since the team's game against Gonzaga was canceled.

Maryland Eastern Shore is only 3-12 on the season, but there are some reasons to take them seriously. First, they've faced a brutal schedule, playing the likes of No. 1 Michigan, No. 6 Maryland, Georgetown, Missouri, Kansas State, and St. Joe's already. They lost all of those games, but in three others, they also kept things relatively close, losing by 11 points or less. The Hawks also have a pretty good duo in seniors guard Devin Martin (18 ppg) and bruising forward, Dominique Elliott, who is only 6'8", but 260 pounds, who outweighs both Rafael Maia and Michael Young.

I can't see Pitt dropping this game at home, but I will be interested to see how they are able to defend those to players. Also of interest here is how the backcourt of James Robinson and Sterling Smith rebounds from a pretty weak game offensively against Syracuse (3-16 shooting from the field).

Game time is at 4:00 p.m. and you can catch it on ESPN3. Join us here to comment live during the game.

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