Pittsburgh Look to Extend Winning Streak, Wake Forest Aim for Bounce-Back
Pittsburgh Panthers vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
On Saturday afternoon, the Pittsburgh Panthers (14-6) will face off against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (15-6) in an ACC showdown at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. With both teams aiming to improve their standing in conference play, this matchup is crucial for their respective post-season hopes. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the game, including player performance, team stats, and a prediction for the outcome.
Pittsburgh Panthers: Momentum Building After Back-to-Back Wins
The Pittsburgh Panthers enter this contest on a positive note, having secured back-to-back victories over Syracuse and North Carolina. Their recent 73-65 win against the Tar Heels marked a strong defensive performance, as Pittsburgh shut down UNC in the second half, limiting them to just 21 points. After trailing by two at halftime, the Panthers outscored North Carolina by 10 in the second half, capitalizing on 14 Tar Heel turnovers to score 22 points off them.
Pittsburgh’s offense has been potent this season, averaging 79.9 points per game, ranking 60th in the nation. They shoot 47.0% from the field (71st) and 35.8% from three-point range (89th). On the defensive side, they allow 70.7 points per game, with opponents shooting 42.5% from the field and 33.1% from beyond the arc.
Key players for the Panthers include sophomore guard Jaland Lowe, who leads the team with 17.6 points and 5.8 assists per game. Senior guard Ishmael Leggett adds 16.5 PPG and 5.6 RPG, while junior forward Cameron Corhen contributes 10.9 PPG and 5.8 RPG. Pittsburgh’s balanced offense and improved defense make them a well-rounded team capable of competing at a high level in the ACC.
KenPom ranks Pittsburgh as the 33rd-best team in the country, with a solid 21st ranking in offensive efficiency and 61st in defensive efficiency. Their ability to capitalize on turnovers and shoot efficiently will be critical in this matchup.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons: Searching for a Bounce-Back Performance
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons are coming off a tough 72-59 loss to Louisville, which saw them struggle in the first half, allowing the Cardinals to outscore them 45-21. Despite a second-half push, Wake Forest couldn’t recover from their early deficit. The Demon Deacons shot just 41% from the field and committed 15 turnovers in the loss, which was a stark contrast to their usual defensive prowess.
Wake Forest boasts a strong 7-3 record in ACC play, but the loss to Louisville has put extra pressure on them to perform at home against Pittsburgh. The Demon Deacons will look to senior guard Hunter Sallis, who leads the team with 18.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, to provide the spark. Sallis has been a consistent scorer, and his leadership will be crucial for Wake Forest’s success in this game.
Other key players for Wake Forest include senior guard Cam Hildreth (13.1 PPG, 3.9 RPG), senior forward Tre’Von Spillers (10.2 PPG, 8.5 RPG), and senior forward Efton Reid (8.1 PPG, 6.0 RPG). While Wake Forest struggles offensively, averaging just 69.5 points per game (ranked 289th nationally), their defense has been stellar. The Demon Deacons rank 40th in the nation in points allowed, giving up just 65.9 points per game, and are particularly strong in limiting field goal percentage, ranking 13th in the nation by holding opponents to 39.0%.
KenPom ranks Wake Forest 75th overall, but they excel defensively, holding teams to a 30.5% three-point shooting mark (53rd in the nation). However, their offensive struggles will need to be addressed if they want to overcome Pittsburgh’s potent attack.
Conclusion
While Wake Forest’s defense has been one of the best in the nation, their offensive inefficiency could be their undoing against Pittsburgh’s high-scoring attack. The Panthers have the tools to exploit Wake Forest’s struggles, especially if they can force turnovers and convert in transition. Additionally, Pittsburgh’s offensive depth, led by Jaland Lowe and Ishmael Leggett, should be enough to give them the edge in this contest.
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