Dutelle’s Take

Every team is entitled to a bad game, and the rest of the top 10 is showing that this week…. Every team is entitled to a bad game, and the rest of the top 10 is showing that this week.

North Carolina and Texas A’M both went down at home Tuesday night, joining Pitt as home losers for the week. The Panthers hadn’t lost to a questionable team all year until Monday. The win legitimized Louisville more than it damaged Pitt, though, because it was simply an uncharacteristic game.

This game is by no means an easy one for the Panthers, but being at home helps tremendously, given the Huskies’ struggles on the road. Washington is 1-7 on the road – including a winless mark in non-conference games – and usually doesn’t come close to winning. Four of the seven road losses have been by more than 20 points and one win came against an Arizona State team that is 0-13 in Pac-10 play.

Washington likes to run the floor and score a lot of points. That kind of style could give Pitt problems, but not enough to give the Panthers a two-game losing streak at home. Look for Jamie Dixon’s team to limit its turnovers and regain its composure with a solid home win over yet another desperate bubble team.

Pitt 74, Washington 65