Looking ahead to tipoff ...
• What: Pitt (8-14, 3-8 ACC) vs. Virginia Tech (12-10, 4-7 ACC)
• When: 7:01 p.m.
• Where: Petersen Events Center
• TV:ACC Network
• Radio: 93.7 The Fan
• Satellite: Sirius N/A XM 381, SXM App 971
• Boxscore: Sidearm Sports
• Media notes: Pitt | Virginia Tech
THE SETUP
Jeff Capel returned to being able to coach the Panthers Wednesday morning after testing positive for COVID over the weekend. That didn't stop Pitt from losing it's ninth straight road game, being crushed by Wake Forest. But Pitt returns home Saturday where the Panthers have won three of their last four hosting teams at the Petersen Events Center.
Now, the Panthers get to host Virginia Tech before playing them again in Blacksburg, Va. Monday for a rescheduled game that was originally scheduled earlier in the season but pushed back due to COVID protocols with the Hokies.
John Hugley IV spoke Friday and blew off the question of how challenging it is to play the same team twice in a row so quickly and stayed focused on the factors the Hokies will bring during the games.
"Virginia Tech is one of the top shooting teams in the country," Hugley said. "We have to respect that, their good shooters and their good post players. We have to mind that when we go out there on defense."
Virginia Tech boasts the third-highest field goal percentage in the ACC at 47.4 percent. Compared to Pitt's 41.0 percent that ranks last in the conference, it's a major disadvantage to the Panthers. Watch for Pitt to try to slow the game down as much as possible to play the defensive style of basketball.
Gates open to the media at 5:00 p.m. Follow along with my coverage from the Petersen Events Center here.