College Basketball

Pitt hoping to play itself off the bubble at ACC tourney

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 3:34 p.m. ET

foxsports

PITTSBURGH (AP) Pittsburgh is hoping to play itself off the NCAA Tournament bubble this week in the nation's capital.

The Panthers (20-10, 9-9 ACC) open ACC tournament play on Wednesday against Syracuse. Pitt appeared to have an NCAA bid locked up after a dominant win over Duke on Feb. 28 only to end the regular season with road losses at Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech.

Forward Sheldon Jeter says the Panthers are aware they're in danger of missing the NCAAs for a second straight year. Pitt went a combined 3 for 32 from 3-point range against the Hokies and the Yellow Jackets.

Coach Jamie Dixon remains optimistic, saying the ACC's wide open regular season means anybody can get hot and make a run in the conference tournament.