Pitt basketball: Panthers crack AP Top 25
By Matt Shetler
Following their biggest win of the 2012-13 campaign, the Pitt Men’s Basketball team finds itself ranked once again.
After beating then No. 6 Syracuse Saturday at the Petersen Events Center, the Panthers find themselves ranked No. 23 in the Associated Press poll released Monday afternoon.
January 26, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Tray Woodall (1) brings the ball up court against the DePaul Blue Demons during the first half at the Petersen Events Center. The Pittsburgh Panthers won 93-55. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Pitt improved to 18-5 on the season and was impressive enough against the Orange that they garnered enough votes to climb back in the rankings.
It could have been a more impressive week had the Panthers been able to defeat Louisville on Monday, but they redeemed themselves in a big way against the Orange.
This makes the second time on the season that Pitt has cracked the Top 25. Hopefully this time their stay is longer than the one week they were ranked last time, dropping from the rankings after losing back-to-back games against Cincinnati and Rutgers.
Pitt gives the Big East Conference seven ranked teams in the current AP Poll.
In addition to the Panthers, they are: No. 9 Syracuse, No. 11 Louisville, No. 17 Cincinnati, No. 20 Georgetown, No. 24 Marquette and No. 25 Notre Dame.
Indiana makes a return to the top spot and Florida, Michigan, Duke and Kansas round out the top five.
Pitt is back in action Monday night at home against Seton Hall before it travels to face Cincinnati on Saturday.