I’m still trying to figure out how Pitt got dropped to a 9 seed. I keep coming back to the non-con. The argument regarding the last 10 games doesn’t wash. Yes, Pitt went 5-5. But look at the losses. All to Tourney teams — Villanova (X 2), WVU (X 2) and UConn. The 5 teams Pitt beat were Syracuse (BET Champs), BC (BE regular season co-champs), ND (X 2, Bubble team) and St. John’s. Pitt’s schedule was back loaded, and it was clear to see.

As for the opponent, the University of Pacific Tigers. No irony here. Just because it was former football coach, Walt Harris’ alma mater.

This is a team that might as well be a West Coast version of Pitt. Look at their stats. Now look at Pitt. Both teams average 72.4 points/game. Pitt allows an average of 63 pts/game; Pacific, 63.5. Both teams have balanced scoring with 3 players in double figures, but no one more than 15.6 points/game. Almost all the stats are similar, except that they are a better free throw shooting team. Obviously, the conference competition is a little different.

Still, looking at Ken Pomeroy’s Basketball Shrink, still shows them to be very similar teams. Pitt is a bit better on defense and rebounding. This will be a brutal 8/9 game.