Pitt Earns NCAA Tournament At-Large Bid

PITTSBURGH – The University of Pittsburgh men's basketball team earned its first NCAA Tournament at-large bid since the 2015-16 season and will make its 27^th tournament appearance when it faces #11 Mississippi State Tuesday, March 14 at 9:00 p.m. (truTV) in a First Four matchup in Dayton, Ohio. The Panthers are 22-11 overall on the season, including a 14-6 mark and third place finish in the ACC.

"We're excited and honored to be selected to be a part of the NCAA Tournament," said head coach Jeff Capel. "We look forward to going to Dayton and playing against a really good Mississippi State team from the SEC."

Pitt is led by All-ACC performers Jamarius Burton (15.6 ppg.,, 4.8 rpg., 4.4 apg.) and Blake Hinson (15.6 ppg., 6.2 rpg., 91 3FGs). Both players have scored in double-figures 28 times this season. The dynamic guard trio of Nelly Cummings (11.0 ppg., 4.8 apg, 56 3FGs), Greg Elliott (10.4 ppg., 74 3FGs, .420 3FG Pct.), and ACC Sixth Man of the Year Nike Sibande (8.5 ppg., 3.9 rpg.,) have also starred in their roles throughout the season, while Federiko Federiko (7.0 ppg., 5.6 rpg., 1.7 bpg., .667 FG Pct.) emerged as one of the top young post players in the ACC.

This is the first postseason appearance for the Panthers under Capel and the fourth time he has led a team into NCAA Tournament play. Capel was named the ACC Coach of the Year and is also among the top candidates for the Naismith National Coach of the Year.

Pitt's strong play against the top of the ACC as well as its performance in true road games helped secure the at-large bid. The Panthers went 8-3 during the ACC regular season against the top nine teams in the conference standings (all which finished above .500 in league play). Pitt was also tied for fourth among power conference teams with seven road wins, including an 87-58 dismantling at Northwestern (finished second in Big Ten standings) and Quad 1 wins at NC State and North Carolina.

Pitt Basketball Season Notes

The Panthers' 11-game win improvement overall is tied for the second-best mark in program history, while their eight-game win increase in conference play is a program record.
Pitt set a program record with 14 ACC wins, also the third most in conference play in program history.
Pitt also became just the third team in ACC history to post a conference regular season win percentage of .700 or higher following four consecutive losing seasons in league play. Maryland (1964-65) and Clemson (1986-87) are the only other schools to accomplish that feat in ACC history.

NCAA Tournament History

27^th appearance (first since 2015-16)
24-27 all-time in NCAA Tournament Play
11^th seed for the first time
First NCAA Tournament meeting with Mississippi State
Winner of the Pitt-Mississippi State game advances to face #6 Iowa State Friday, March 17 in Greensboro, N.C.

Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets for Tuesday's game through the NCAA verified resale market here.

Pitt Earns NCAA Tournament At-Large Bid

Players Mentioned

Jamarius Burton

Nelly Cummings

Greg Elliott

Federiko Federiko

Blake Hinson

Nike Sibande

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