College Hoops Picks ATS, Feb. 24: Pittsburgh Panthers at Providence Friars
Pittsburgh Panthers (12-2, 25-2) at Providence Friars (8-7, 16-11)
Tuesday, Feb. 24 — 7 p.m. EST on The Big East Network Local
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Preview
After winning seven in a row, including a win over former top-ranked UConn, the Panthers are back in the top spot in the national polls for the second time this season. Their two losses this season have both come against ranked Big East opponents.
Providence has been a big surprise this season. The Friars currently sit in seventh in Big East standings, but they unfortunately have been slowly slipping. They have lost two in a row—to Louisville by 18 and Notre Dame by 19—and are 2-5 in their last seven.
The Friars have played well this season, but their conference standing has come from victories over unranked Big East opponents. Against ranked Big East teams, they are 1-5 this season, and against Big East teams that have been ranked at all this season they are 1-7 (Note: Notre Dame and West Virginia weren't ranked when they faced the Friars, but they were in the Top 25 at one point this season).
The Panthers' success comes from their fantastic frontcourt, led by sophomore DeJuan Blair and senior Sam Young. Between the two of them, they average 34 points and 18 rebounds per game.
The Friars' strength lies within their backcourt in Weyinmi Efejuku and Sharaud Curry.
After this game, Providence faces Rutgers before getting another shot at Villanova. The Panthers stay on the road and travel to Seton Hall before hosting Marquette and UConn to finish out the season.
By The Numbers
| Record | Conf | ATS | RPI | SOS | PF | PA | |
| Pittsburgh | 25-2 | 12-2 | 13-7-1 | 1 | 13 | 78.3 | 62.3 |
| Providence | 16-11 | 8-7 | 8-13-1 | 76 | 42 | 79.2 | 76.7 |
| FG% | D. FG% | 3P% | D. 3P% | FT% | RPG | SPG | APG | TPG | |
| Pittsburgh | 48.2 | 40.5 | 36.5 | 33.9 | 66.3 | 43.4 | 7.4 | 18.1 | 11.5 |
| Providence | 45.2 | 44.9 | 31.9 | 33.8 | 66.9 | 41.6 | 7.6 | 15.1 | 14.2 |
Stat Leaders
| Pittsburgh | Providence | |
| PPG | S. Young - 18.1 | W. Efejuku - 14.4 |
| D. Blair - 15.8 | M. Brooks - 12.0 | |
| L. Fields - 10.9 | S. Curry - 11.5 | |
| RPG | D. Blair - 13.0 | G. McDermott - 8.7 |
| APG | L. Fields - 7.5 | S. Curry - 4.6 |
| SPG | D. Blair - 1.6 | J. Xavier - 1.5 |
| BPG | S. Young - 0.8 | G. McDermott - 1.1 |
Prediction
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