December 11, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Ishmael Leggett (5) takes the ball up the court on a quick break against the eastern Kentucky -Colonel during the second half at Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles Leclaire-Imagn Pictures While Pitt’s record trends in the wrong direction, the team’s morality keeps even – at least for now.
Pitt goes on a four-game that loses the line and is desperate after a victory on Saturday when it visits Syracuse in the Atlantic Coast Conference Action.
Panthers (12-6, 3-4 ACC) took a five-game winning line in its road match against No. 4 Duke on January 7. They lost that competition with 29 points, a humble defeat that was followed by losses to Louisville, Florida State and Clemson.
In the backlash 78-75 overtime against Tigers last Saturday, Pitt lost despite 18 points from Ishmael Leggett and 15 points from Cameron Cohen, who shot 7-7 from the field.
“I loved our struggle,” said Leggett. “I loved everything about who we were. We did not fall under pressure. We were down 10 in half, but we continued to fight, continued to fight, continued to fight and stayed in the fight. It didn’t go our way today, but I love the way we were dealing with when we played. ”
Coach Jeff Capel’s way of thinking is that the team’s current slide is, if nothing else, a character test.
“If used properly, this may be a time when you learn so much about yourself that you are getting tougher and stronger,” Capel said. “At least it has been our experience in recent years. You will find out the real character in your team. I think this team has a solid character. I think we have good leadership. Sure, it is being tested right now.”
At the same time, Orange (9-10, 3-5) goes through its own problems after two exhaust losses in the last three games. JJ Starling scored 25 points on 10-AV-16 shooting in a loss of 86-72 Wednesday on Clemson, but only one of his teammates made in double numbers when Eddie Lampkin Jr. added 14.
“We know what JJ can do, but we need five guys,” said Orange Coach Adrian Autry. “He made some pictures, but then other guys, everyone knows we had to pull our weight. We just didn’t.”
Lampkin has an average of 11.6 points and 11 returns in the last five matches. His inner presence will be a big key about Syracuse hopes to defeat Pitt for the third straight time.
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