If you’re a Pitt fan looking for encouragement after the Panthers’ second loss of a painful proportion this season, know this:
No. 4 Duke (13-2, 5-0 ACC) has won nine in a row, its past six by an average of more than 26 points. Almost in line with what happened to Pitt (12-3, 3-1) on Tuesday night in Durham, N.C. — a 76-47 loss in which the losing team was scoreless for the final eight minutes.
If you’re one of the many discouraged Pitt fans who are always waiting for the other shoe to drop after a nice winning streak, you might already be aware of this:
Louisville, which is Pitt’s next opponent Saturday at Petersen Events Center, was tied with Duke, 57-57, with less than nine minutes left in the game. The Cardinals (11-5, 4-1) eventually lost to the Blue Devils, 76-65, but they are 6-1 since, including chopping down Clemson on Tuesday, 74-64. Their only loss in that time was by eight at No. 6 Kentucky.
Last month, Pitt responded to a 90-57 loss at now-No. 14 Mississippi State by winning at Virginia Tech, the start of the five-game winning streak that ended Tuesday.
Pitt coach Jeff Capel acknowledged the obvious strength of the Blue Devils — he is 2-7 against his former team as Pitt’s coach — while also admitting to how his players contributed to the defeat.
”They are elite defensively because of their size and ability to switch and be in gaps,” he said of Duke, a team that has held five opponents under 49 points. “We didn’t play our best. A big part was them.
“I thought in the second half we got into, finally, a little bit of rhythm. After that, we missed shots and it got away from us. Our decision-making at times wasn’t great. I thought at times we had some kicks, and we didn’t kick. It’s tough to score at the rim on those guys with their size.
“I thought we fought, but it wasn’t good enough.”
What was most discouraging was how Pitt’s guard tandem of Ishmael Leggett and Jaland Lowe combined for only 12 points. Leggett was 2 for 15 from the field and ended up with four points after coming into the game shooting 60.2% on 2-point shots.
“I thought he got down on himself little bit,” Capel said. “Because he was missing. I thought he forced a little bit.”
Lowe was 3 for 12, and he’s become less of a 3-point threat (29.1% for the season after 35.2% in 2023-2024).
“It got to the point where we were losing a little bit of confidence,” Lowe said. “In the future, trust our guys. I have to be a better decision-maker.”
While Cam Corhen continued his strong play (38 points, 24 rebounds in the past three games), Pitt got a boost with the return of senior guard Damian Dunn, who hadn’t played since Nov. 24 (thumb injury). Dunn scored seven points in 21 minutes, probably playing longer than coaches anticipated in his first game back.
“It was just good to have him back,” Capel said. “He’s an older guy. Besides the last play (when he was ejected for a flagrant 2 foul), I thought he did some good things on both ends. In a game like this, with (Duke switching on defense), we want to have more guys who could play off the bounce and create some stuff for us.
“He’ll continue to get better as he gets more games under his belt, more practices under his belt.”
Other than Dunn, reserves Brandin Cummings played 15 minutes (six points) and Jorge Diaz Graham seven minutes (one 3-pointer). Amsal Delalic and Papa Kante never got off the bench after receiving praise for their recent efforts.
Before the game, Capel said he was eager to see how Pitt would play against one of the nation’s great teams. He left disappointed, but the ACC grind is only beginning. There will be highs and more lows.
The game Saturday against Louisville will be another indicator of where this team might be headed.
Categories: Pitt | Sports
