Pitt Basketball Faces Crucial Test Against Clemson Amid Three-Game Slump

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — The University of Pittsburgh men’s basketball team is at a crossroads as it prepares to host Clemson on Saturday at Petersen Events Center. The Panthers (12-5, 3-3 ACC) are mired in a three-game losing streak, their longest in conference play since the 2021-22 season, when they finished 11-21 under head coach Jeff Capel.

The stakes are high for Pitt, which needs a win to stay competitive in the ACC and bolster its NCAA Tournament resume. Last season, the Panthers were excluded from March Madness despite a 22-11 record, partly due to a semifinal loss in the ACC Tournament. With 14 conference games remaining, Pitt must turn its fortunes around quickly.

Clemson (14-4, 6-1 ACC) presents a formidable challenge. The Tigers are third in the ACC and riding a 12-game winning streak against Pitt, dating back to January 2015. Pitt’s last victory over Clemson came on March 8, 2014. While the Panthers have played more competitively against the Tigers in recent years, they have yet to break through with a win.

One key matchup will be Pitt’s perimeter defense against Clemson’s potent 3-point shooting. The Tigers lead the ACC with a 38.1% conversion rate from beyond the arc, while Pitt ranks seventh in 3-point defense at 32.0%. Clemson’s Chase Hunter, a sixth-year senior guard, is the ACC’s top 3-point shooter at 44.6% and averages 17.4 points per game.

Pitt’s ability to limit second-chance opportunities will also be critical. The Panthers allowed a season-high 17 offensive rebounds to Louisville on Jan. 11, and they will face Clemson’s Ian Schieffelin, who ranks second in the ACC with 10.0 rebounds per game.

Free-throw shooting could be another deciding factor. Pitt leads the ACC at 79.0%, while Clemson is close behind at 78.4%. Sophomore guard Jaland Lowe, who leads Pitt with 17.5 points per game, has made 90.5% of his free throws this season. However, Lowe’s ball security has been an issue; he committed a career-high eight turnovers in Pitt’s recent loss to Florida State.

In the NET rankings, Pitt holds a slight edge over Clemson, sitting at No. 31 compared to the Tigers’ No. 36. A win for Clemson would count as a Quad 1 victory, while Pitt would secure a Quad 2 win if it snaps its losing streak. With Duke and Louisville ahead in the ACC standings, Saturday’s game is a pivotal moment for both teams.

Tipoff is set for noon Saturday at Petersen Events Center, where Pitt will look to end its decade-long drought against Clemson and reignite its season.