Victories against Georgetown and West Virginia have rejuvenated Pitt's hopes of bucking the odds and making the NCAA tournament after the Panthers' first 0-7 start to Big East play. But the Panthers know they nearly have no margin for error the rest of the season, and that the easiest route to the NCAA tournament is paved by winning the remaining four home games.
"The older guys, we know the situation we're in," junior point guard Tray Woodall said. "We know the games we have to come out and win."
The game today against Villanova is one of them. Pitt has eight games remaining and likely needs to put six in the win column to give itself a chance at an NCAA at-large bid. Winning at home, especially against the struggling Wildcats, could go a long way in helping the Panthers realize their goal.
The Wildcats and Panthers are tied for 12th in the conference with 3-7 records. And while it is possible the loser of the game could still make the tournament, the winner has a much brighter outlook.
The Panthers have been buoyed by the return of Woodall, who has helped them to a 3-1 record since coming back from an abdominal injury that kept him out of the lineup for 11 of 12 games in December and January.
"We stayed with it," coach Jamie Dixon said. "We believed we could become a better team. The wins have helped that. We can't be satisfied. We need to keep pushing forward. We have to learn from our mistakes in the past and move on into the future."
Woodall's effect on the offense has been well-documented. The Panthers are averaging 76.7 points per game in the past three games with him at full strength. They averaged 59.8 in the first seven conference games.
What has been overlooked has been Woodall's importance to the team's defense. None of the past three opponents have shot more than 42 percent from the field, and the Panthers held West Virginia to 40 percent shooting Monday night.
Not only has Woodall provided the Panthers with an upgraded defender on the perimeter, but the offensive efficiency has negated most transition opportunities for opponents. West Virginia did not score in transition once Monday night.
"It's hand in hand," Dixon said. "Our offense has helped our defense. We're making more shots. We're taking care of the ball more. I really thought our offense was the cause for our defensive deficiencies.
"We have a lot of things we can improve on. We just need to keep getting better. Our offense, if it continues to improve, will help our defense in the areas I mentioned."
Woodall put it in much simpler terms. He said happy players make for better defenders.
"The offense is a big part of us getting stops on defense," Woodall said.
"Everybody is happy on the offensive end. They're not hanging their heads, not moping around. Everyone is hitting shots. Everyone is having fun. If you're having fun, you want to go out there and get stops. That's the fun part of basketball. Once you get a couple of baskets, you want to get some stops to get some more baskets."
Pitt's defense is going to have to be at its best to handle Villanova, which is averaging 75 points per game in conference play. The Wildcats are led by talented guards Maalik Wayns and Dominic Cheek. Wayns, a junior, is second in the Big East in scoring, averaging 18.4 points per game.
The Wildcats have been losing games because their defense has been lagging. They have given up 76 points or more in each of the past six games and are allowing an average of 79 points per game in conference play.
"The older guys, we know the situation we're in," junior point guard Tray Woodall said. "We know the games we have to come out and win."
The game today against Villanova is one of them. Pitt has eight games remaining and likely needs to put six in the win column to give itself a chance at an NCAA at-large bid. Winning at home, especially against the struggling Wildcats, could go a long way in helping the Panthers realize their goal.
The Wildcats and Panthers are tied for 12th in the conference with 3-7 records. And while it is possible the loser of the game could still make the tournament, the winner has a much brighter outlook.
The Panthers have been buoyed by the return of Woodall, who has helped them to a 3-1 record since coming back from an abdominal injury that kept him out of the lineup for 11 of 12 games in December and January.
"We stayed with it," coach Jamie Dixon said. "We believed we could become a better team. The wins have helped that. We can't be satisfied. We need to keep pushing forward. We have to learn from our mistakes in the past and move on into the future."
Woodall's effect on the offense has been well-documented. The Panthers are averaging 76.7 points per game in the past three games with him at full strength. They averaged 59.8 in the first seven conference games.
What has been overlooked has been Woodall's importance to the team's defense. None of the past three opponents have shot more than 42 percent from the field, and the Panthers held West Virginia to 40 percent shooting Monday night.
Not only has Woodall provided the Panthers with an upgraded defender on the perimeter, but the offensive efficiency has negated most transition opportunities for opponents. West Virginia did not score in transition once Monday night.
"It's hand in hand," Dixon said. "Our offense has helped our defense. We're making more shots. We're taking care of the ball more. I really thought our offense was the cause for our defensive deficiencies.
"We have a lot of things we can improve on. We just need to keep getting better. Our offense, if it continues to improve, will help our defense in the areas I mentioned."
Woodall put it in much simpler terms. He said happy players make for better defenders.
"The offense is a big part of us getting stops on defense," Woodall said.
"Everybody is happy on the offensive end. They're not hanging their heads, not moping around. Everyone is hitting shots. Everyone is having fun. If you're having fun, you want to go out there and get stops. That's the fun part of basketball. Once you get a couple of baskets, you want to get some stops to get some more baskets."
Pitt's defense is going to have to be at its best to handle Villanova, which is averaging 75 points per game in conference play. The Wildcats are led by talented guards Maalik Wayns and Dominic Cheek. Wayns, a junior, is second in the Big East in scoring, averaging 18.4 points per game.
The Wildcats have been losing games because their defense has been lagging. They have given up 76 points or more in each of the past six games and are allowing an average of 79 points per game in conference play.
