Overview
- Tip-off is 6 p.m. ET at the Petersen Events Center on ACC Network, with DraftKings listing Pitt -1.5 and a 148.5 total as SportsLine’s 10,000-simulation model projects 151 points and a slight lean to the Over.
- Wake Forest enters 11-9 (2-5 ACC) and Pitt 8-12 (1-6), with both coming off weekend losses and the Panthers on a three-game skid.
- Pitt’s free-throw struggles persist after an 11-for-25 outing against NC State, and Jeff Capel called the issue a test of mental toughness; the Panthers rank near the bottom of the ACC at 66.3%.
- Wake Forest coach Steve Forbes blasted his team’s effort on loose balls following the Duke loss, calling it the worst he has done in 37 years of coaching.
- Key players to watch include Wake’s Juke Harris (20.6 ppg with recent efficient scoring) and Pitt’s Brandin Cummings (13.1 ppg) and rebounder Cameron Corhen (8.1 rpg), with Pitt’s 35% offensive-rebound rate set against Wake’s poor defensive rebounding.