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Big East's Giant Killer - Pittsburgh Panthers

Bookmark and Share by Robby Maddux

The tournament's No. 1 seed is just one of a few milestones the program accomplished this season. Earlier in the season, the Panthers claimed an AP No. 1 ranking in the country for the first time ever.

Also for the first time in school history, Pittsburgh knocked off a No. 1 team, twice. And, the Panthers set a school-record with 15 Big East regular season wins, going 15-3 in conference play, while finishing 19-0 (9-4 ATS) at home for the school's fourth perfect home season.

Pittsburgh is making a school-record eighth straight NCAA Tournament appearance after earning berths from 2002 through 2009. Since 2002, Pittsburg is one of only six schools nationwide to advance to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen at least four times over the last seven years.

Pittsburgh's has a strong team led by a senior class of Tyrell Biggs, Levance Fields and Sam Young, who set a school-record for most victories over a four-year period currently at 109. Biggs is an unselfish and hard worker with good overall skills. He can score down low or step out and hit mid-range jumpers and is a solid offensive rebounder. Fields is a quick point guard who can run the offense, handle the ball, drive, pass and score. Young takes advantage of his quickness to score against taller players and is unbelievably athletic, plays good defense and rebounds with authority.

Coach Jamie Dixon has led his club to NCAA Tournament appearances in each of his first six seasons as head coach, becoming the first coach to punch the Panther's ticket to six straight Big Dances. The Panthers will face the No. 16 seed the Buccaneers of East Tennessee State University (23-10 SU, 2-1-0 ATS) Friday afternoon in Dayton, Ohio.

  • Panthers are 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 neutral site games.
  • Panthers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games as a favorite.
  • Panthers are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games overall.
  • Buccaneers are 14-5-1 ATS in their last 20 neutral site games.
  • Buccaneers are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 non-conference games.
  • Buccaneers are 11-5 ATS in their last 16 games overall.