As of Today

[DC_Area_Panther]

Sagarin's computer has Pitt currently a double digit favorite in all 3 remaining OOC games and a single digit favorite in 7 of the remaining 18 ACC games. In addition, Pitt is a less than 2 point underdog in 3 more of those 18 ACC games.

So, that projects a pre-ACCT record of 9-2 OOC + 8-12 ACC = 17-14 Overall. Of course we will probably lose some of the games we are favored to win and win a few we are predicted to lose.

In the end, I would be happy with 17-14 (8-12) ACC as it should show the upward trend of the program needed to give recruiting an extra boost.

As a side note--Sagarin's computer currently rates Duquesne a miniscule amount better than Pitt at #64 (80.72) to Pitt at #65 (80.63).

 

[rmf05]

17-14 is a nice improvement. I think we improve slightly more than the field and could even do slightly better than that but no expectations as Pitt will never beat expectations in any sport ever.

 

[TWPitt]

Wonder what the impact will be of 20 conference games on NCAA tournament bids -- BPI will be higher due to better quality of games but beating up on each other will lower win totals vs playing 2 extra cupcake teams each year. In the past 19-20 wins and 8-10 ACC conference wins was good enough to get in, wondering if 17-18 wins and 8-12 ACC wins will hold the same weight going forward.

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

Wonder what the impact will be of 20 conference games on NCAA tournament bids -- BPI will be higher due to better quality of games but beating up on each other will lower win totals vs playing 2 extra cupcake teams each year. In the past 19-20 wins and 8-10 ACC conference wins was good enough to get in, wondering if 17-18 wins and 8-12 ACC wins will hold the same weight going forward.

In future years, perhaps. However, I doubt it would do more than possibly earn an NIT bid, at best, this season because the entire ACC appears to be having a down year. So, I suspect, no more than 6 ACC teams make the NCAAs this year with any team with an ACC record worse than 14-6 or 13-7 not getting an NCAA bid.