The Big East may be having a bit of a down year, but Pitt basketball is still thriving…. The Big East may be having a bit of a down year, but Pitt basketball is still thriving.

Pitt (17-2 overall, 5-0 Big East) is playing its best basketball of the season right now, ripping off seven straight wins to clearly separate itself from the rest of the Big East. The Panthers have been doing it with incredible balance, getting solid guard play to accompany a budding defense throughout the winning streak.

Have the Panthers shown enough to be considered a national contender, though? Those kind of tough questions require tough answers