Preview | Pitt Athletics gear up for an exciting weekend of events

With the second week of the spring semester underway, Pitt Athletics is having an action-packed weekend with exciting match-ups across all winter sports teams. Here’s a preview of this weekend’s events:

Men’s Basketball

This weekend, Pitt (10-7, 1-5 ACC) travels to Durham, North Carolina to take on Duke (13-3, 4-1 ACC). Duke basketball is currently ranked No. 7 in the AP top-25 poll.

11 short days ago, these two teams faced each other. The Blue Devils traveled to Pittsburgh on Jan. 9 which ended in a dominant win for Duke, with a final score of 75-53. The Blue Devils held the Panthers to 26.1 points below their season average while also out-rebounding Pitt 42-26. 

This game is a challenge for a recently struggling Panthers basketball team. The Panthers suffered a loss against Syracuse in a 69-58 loss last Tuesday, and currently have lost four of their last five games. 

Additionally, the Blue Devils are currently experiencing a strong run of success, having won seven consecutive games. This includes impressive wins over Syracuse and Baylor. Pitt needs to win to get a momentum boost to keep any postseason hopes alive.

Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20, at the Cameron Indoor Stadium. Coverage will air on ACCN. 

Women’s Basketball

Pitt (6-12, 0-5 ACC) is hosting Syracuse (14-2, 4-1 ACC) on Sunday. The Panthers were unsuccessful in their previous five games and are determined to put an end to this losing streak this weekend.

However, the Orange are on a hot streak, winning their last three games in a row. Pitt needs a confidence boost to attempt to turn their season around. A win is crucial in Sunday’s match-up. 

Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. on Sunday Jan. 21, at the Peterson Event Center. Coverage will air on ACCNX on ESPN+. 

Swimming and Diving

This weekend, the Panthers will stay home and take on Minnesota in their last home meet of the season. The action starts on Friday, Jan. 19. Diving begins at 11:45 a.m. while swimming will take place at 2:15 p.m. The match will continue into Saturday, with swimming events beginning at 10 a.m. 

Pitt has seen Minnesota once already this season. On Dec. 3, Pitt competed at the Minnesota Invite. The Panthers achieved 17 Top 50 times and set three new school records at the meet. 

Additionally, last weekend the Panthers defeated West Virginia — men’s won 165-145 and women’s won 196-104. But, the Gophers are doing well as well. Their last meet saw a dominant 183-79 win over Tampa. 

This upcoming meet is exhilarating as both teams enter with recent noteworthy wins. It takes place from Friday to Saturday, Jan. 19-20 at Trees Pool. 

Coverage is set at 11:45 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 19 on ACCNX on ESPN+. 

Gymnastics 

On Sunday, Pitt Gymnastics (2-2, 0-0 ACC) will travel to South Carolina to take on Clemson (1-0, 0-0 ACC). After falling to Kent State in a 193.700-194.550 loss, the Panthers need to bounce back this weekend against a tough Tigers gymnastics team.

Clemson is currently 14th in the nation through last weekend’s meets. The Tigers are riding high after a historic first inaugural meet last weekend, setting attendance records and defeating William & Mary 196.325-190.050. 

While the Tigers continue to enjoy their success, it is crucial for the Panthers to defeat Clemson this weekend to regain momentum. 

This meet takes place on Sunday, Jan.21 at the Littlejohn Coliseum with coverage on the ACCN at 4 p.m.

Wrestling 

Pitt Wrestling (7-4, 0-0 ACC) will host Arizona State (2-3, 1-0 PAC) this weekend on Sunday, Jan. 21. Last Friday, Pitt fell to Oklahoma State in a 6-31 loss. Arizona State is coming in off of a massive win against CSU Bakersfield with a 43-0 score. 

Pitt wrestling must demonstrate that the team is a threat. Yet, following their disappointing performance in the previous match, this weekend’s competition against the Sun Devils may present a challenge.

The match is set at the Fitzgerald Field House at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 21 and coverage will air on ACCNX on ESPN +.