Pittsburgh Panthers vs Murray St. Racers Picks and Predictions November 8th 2024

Pitt Aims to Continue Defensive Dominance Against Murray State

After a strong season opener, the Pittsburgh Panthers are set to host the Murray State Racers on Friday night in a nonconference matchup. The Panthers are coming off a decisive win and will look to maintain their defensive intensity as they face a Murray State team that also got off to a hot start.

Pitt’s Defense Shines in Opener

The Panthers (1-0) made a statement in their first game of the season with a dominant 96-56 victory over Radford on Monday. While the offense put up impressive numbers, scoring 96 points, the defense was arguably the most promising aspect of Pitt’s performance.

Pitt’s defense stifled Radford, holding the Highlanders to just 31 percent shooting from the field. The Panthers were particularly impressive during key stretches, closing out the first half by not allowing a field goal for the final 7:04 and ending the game with Radford missing 14 of their last 15 field-goal attempts.

“That’s huge. It’s a tone-setter,” said freshman guard Jaland Lowe, who was outstanding in his debut with 21 points, six assists, and three steals. “We want to carry it on for the rest of the season.”

Ishmael Leggett also played a big role, contributing 19 points and a game-high 12 rebounds, showcasing his ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. Pitt’s balanced attack featured all five starters in double figures, along with a strong performance from reserve Brandin Cummings.

Building on Last Season’s Defensive Success

Pitt’s defensive performance against Radford was a continuation of what made them competitive last season, where they ranked fourth in the ACC in scoring defense, allowing just 67.6 points per game. For head coach Jeff Capel, keeping that defensive momentum is crucial if the Panthers are to exceed their preseason projection of finishing seventh in the ACC.

The challenge will be maintaining that intensity against tougher competition, and Murray State might provide a more challenging test than Radford.

Murray State’s High-Octane Offense

Murray State (1-0) also got off to a roaring start, though their victory came against an NAIA opponent in Bethel, whom they defeated 113-37 on Monday. The Racers were firing on all cylinders, shooting a scorching 61.5 percent from the field and 56 percent from beyond the arc.

Coach Steve Prohm was pleased with his team’s relentless effort throughout the game.

“I thought we sustained really, really good effort for basically 35 to 38 minutes,” Prohm said. “Now obviously things ramp up on Friday.”

The Racers demonstrated outstanding ball distribution, providing assists on 25 out of their 40 successful shots. Kylen Milton, who transferred from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, spearheaded the effort with 19 points on an impressive 7-of-9 shooting. Murray State had five players reach double digits in scoring, indicating that they possess various offensive tools.

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Important Matchups to Observe

Jaland Lowe and Kylen Milton: Each athlete excelled in their individual season debut. Lowe’s capacity to manage the game on both sides will be challenged by Milton, who was extremely effective in his first game for Murray State.

Ishmael Leggett against Murray State’s Frontcourt: Leggett’s versatile play will be crucial for Pitt, particularly his defensive skills and rebounding ability. The Racers, demonstrating their ability to score effectively from outside, must address Leggett’s influence on the rebounds.

What to Anticipate

Pitt will strive to maintain its defensive supremacy while capitalizing on the offensive input from athletes such as Lowe and Leggett. The Panthers’ focus should be on managing the pace and stopping Murray State from settling into a shooting groove.

Conversely, Murray State aims to accelerate the tempo and depend on their effective shooting to confront Pitt’s defense. Coach Prohm will require his team to sustain the high effort they displayed against Bethel, particularly as the competition intensifies.

Both teams are building on the excitement of strong opening victories, creating a fascinating contest. For Pitt, this is an opportunity to strengthen their defensive identity, while Murray State aims to demonstrate their ability to compete with a tougher level of competition.

The game promises to be an exciting clash of styles, with Pitt’s defense set to be tested by Murray State’s potent offense. Expect an electric atmosphere at Petersen Events Center as the Panthers look to protect their home court and continue their winning ways.