Struggling Pittsburgh searching for consistency

Published Feb. 19, 2016 2:21 p.m. ET

foxsports

PITTSBURGH (AP) Pittsburgh's once vaunted defense has become a distant memory.

The Panthers have struggled to stop ACC opponents this season. They are next to last in defensive field goal percentage heading into Saturday's trip to Syracuse and have been outscored in the paint by 46 points in their last four games.

Coach Jamie Dixon remains optimistic Pitt can improve, a daunting stretch awaits with Louisville and Duke visiting Pitt next week.

Guard James Robinson says the Panthers haven't become soft but acknowledged there is plenty of room for improvement. Pitt needed double overtime to hold of lowly Wake Forest at home last Tuesday, a loss that would have been a gut punch to the Panthers' NCAA Tournament hopes.