Jamie Dixon and the Pitt basketball team had to wait a while during the Selection Sunday broadcast to find out where they would be going and who they would be playing, but eventually the Panthers got the not-so-good news.
Pitt, projected by almost everyone to be no lower than a No. 6 seed in the 2013 NCAA Tournament, ended up being only a No. 8 seed with a tough second round matchup against Wichita State to begin the tournament.
To make matters worse, the Panthers end up getting sent out west.
However things aren’t so bad for the Panthers, as the west appears to be the weakest of the four brackets at first glance.
First up is the Shockers, who finished the year 26-8 out of the Missouri Valley Conference.
“They are a well coached team and we are familiar with them and the conference having played them a couple years ago,” said Dixon.
If they find a way to get past the Shockers, Pitt likely will face No. 1 seed Gonzaga, who has lost only two games all season. But the Panthers physical style of play could give them an advantage against the Zags.
After that, the region is filled with potential beatable teams in Wisconsin, Kansas State, New Mexico, Notre Dame and Ohio State.
Pitt will open up on Thursday in Salt Lake City, Utah, with a potential Saturday game in the same location. Tip-off times have yet to be announced.
“It is what it is,” said Dixon regarding the lower than expected seed. “Judging by the past we figured that we could end up going out west and because they (NCAA) wants to keep you from playing teams you already played it may have moved us down a line or two. But you are going to have to play a good team whether your are a five or an eight. All we can control now is playing well against Wichita State on Thursday.”
Here is your full NCAA Tournament bracket and check back as I will have reaction from Dixon and several Panthers players.
Photo Credit: NCAA
