Pitt Basketball: Panthers Solidify NCAA Chances By Smashing Wake Forest In ACC Tournament Opener
By Matt Gajtka
Mar 13, 2014; Greensboro, NC, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers forward Durand Johnson (5) and guard Josh Newkirk (13) and forward Michael Young (2) and guard Cameron Wright (3) react in the second half. The Panthers defeated the Demon Deacons 84-55 in the second round of the ACC college basketball tournament at Greensboro Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
All doubt should be gone now. The Pitt Panthers are going to the NCAA tournament.
Pitt, considered a borderline March Madness team by some, delivered a dominating 84-55 win over Wake Forest in the program’s first ACC tournament game Thursday afternoon in Greensboro, N.C.
Pitt (24-8) jumped out to a 9-2 lead against the overmatched Demon Deacons and took a 39-25 advantage into halftime. After battling through a 2-5 slump, the Panthers have now won four of five and will face North Carolina in Friday’s quarterfinal round.
The Panthers’ senior duo of Lamar Patterson and Talib Zanna was especially deadly against Wake Forest, scoring 24 and 17 points, respectively. They combined for 25 points in the first half, matching the Deacons’ team output through the opening 20 minutes.
Patterson made 4 of 6 3-pointers and shot 8 for 13 from the field overall to go with four assists and two steals. Zanna ran the floor well and snagged a team-high nine rebounds; the 6-foot-9 center converted 8 of 10 field-goal attempts.
Freshman point guard Josh Newkirk also enjoyed a productive afternoon, chipping in 10 points and five assists. Michael Young added nine points, one of 11 Panthers to get on the scoreboard.
Coron Williams (16 points) and Codi Miller-McIntyre (10) powered Wake Forest’s attack, but the Deacons (17-16) were repeatedly beaten down the court for easy baskets.
Pitt handled Wake Forest 80-65 at home Jan. 11, and it was clear early in Thursday’s game the Panthers were the better team.
Pitt will seek vengeance against the Tar Heels at 2 p.m. Friday. UNC topped the Panthers 75-71 on Feb. 15, part of Pitt’s season-long three-game losing streak.