The Eastern Kentucky Colonels head to Petersen Events Center to face the Pittsburgh Panthers in a nonconference showdown on Wednesday night. Both teams are looking to build momentum as they approach the heart of their schedules. Eastern Kentucky comes into this game with a 5-4 record, fresh off a dominant win, while Pittsburgh, ranked second in the ACC, boasts an 8-2 record and seeks consistency after a rocky couple of weeks.
Pittsburgh aims to extend its winning streak after a gritty 64-59 victory over Virginia Tech, showcasing their defensive prowess. Eastern Kentucky, on the other hand, looks to capitalize on their offensive rebounding strength and steady scoring from standout players like George Kimble III and Devontae Blanton. This matchup provides an opportunity for both teams to assess their readiness against competitive opponents as the season progresses.
Pittsburgh Panthers
The Panthers are coming off a crucial win against Virginia Tech, a game that highlighted their defensive resilience. Forcing 17 turnovers and limiting their opponents to just 32% shooting from beyond the arc, Pittsburgh showed its ability to grind out wins. Jaland Lowe and Ishmael Leggett have been the driving forces on offense, averaging 17.1 and 17.0 points per game, respectively.
Pittsburgh’s success this season has been rooted in their balanced attack and ability to control the pace of the game. With a 5-0 record at home, the Panthers have been dominant on their own court. Coach Jeff Capel will look to build on their defensive effort from Saturday to secure another win before diving deeper into their conference schedule.
Eastern Kentucky Colonels
The Colonels come into this game after a confidence-boosting 98-62 victory over Campbellsville-Harrodsburg. They dominated the glass, pulling down 27 offensive rebounds, and were led by George Kimble III, who scored 23 points. Eastern Kentucky’s strength lies in their ability to create second-chance opportunities and their fight on both ends of the court.
Devontae Blanton has been the cornerstone of this team, averaging 16.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. Coach A.W. Hamilton emphasizes the team’s grit and potential, and a strong showing against Pittsburgh could solidify their confidence heading into the next stretch of their schedule. However, they will need to maintain consistency, which has been a challenge in recent games.
Pick and Prediction
This game presents an intriguing clash between Pittsburgh’s defensive strength and Eastern Kentucky’s hustle on the boards. The Panthers have the edge in talent and experience, particularly with Lowe and Leggett leading their offense. Eastern Kentucky’s ability to stay competitive will rely on their rebounding and the performance of Blanton against a solid Pittsburgh defense.
Expect Pittsburgh to control the game with their defensive intensity and home-court advantage, but Eastern Kentucky’s effort on the boards may keep it closer than expected. Ultimately, the Panthers should come away with a comfortable win.
- Prediction: Pittsburgh Panthers 77, Eastern Kentucky Colonels 62
