Pitt vs. West Virginia: Open Gamethread

Well this should be ... interesting.

After a miserable start, Pitt’s basketball team has started to figure things out a little bit. Since a 73-67 loss to Oklahoma State a few weeks ago, the Panthers have won four consecutive games to bring their record to 5-4.

While the winning streak has been nice to see, it’s clear that the competition hasn’t been all that great with wins over Lehigh, High Point, Duquesne, and Mount St. Mary’s. Today, the Panthers will have their stiffest test of the season to date with a game against No. 18 West Virginia.

It almost seems unfair that the Backyard Brawl returns this season. The Mountaineers are a Top 25 program while Pitt is out there playing a team comprised mostly of freshmen and others that hadn’t even played Division I this season. You get the feeling that things could be a little more competitive next season when Pitt’s young team has matured a little and if this year’s game doesn’t get out of hand, that would be a moral victory of sorts. After Pitt lost to Penn State by 31 points in an ugly game, you shouldn’t need any more proof that this one could get out of hand, too. The Panthers have been playing better but haven’t yet faced the likes of a team like West Virginia.

Still, the show must go on. Do you give the Panthers much of a shot tonight?

Game time at 8:00 p.m. tonight and you can see it on ESPN2. If you’re watching, join us here to comment live during the game.

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