Bracket Projection: Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Panthers have had a nice bounceback season after a disappointing campaign a year ago. As always, Jamie Dixon has his squad playing its best basketball as it prepares for the NCAA tournament. Pitt has proven it can withstand the tough Big East schedule, but do the Panthers have the talent necessary to compete with the country's elite teams in a single-elimination format?

ESPN Insider has your answers, as Joe Lunardi has enlisted a team of Bracketologists to compile advanced metrics, key scouting intel and best -- and worst -- case tournament scenarios for all 68 teams, in order to help you make smart picks in your bracket. Plus, as Lunardi fills out his bracket, he'll give you his prediction on how each team will fare.

Lunardi's Logic

The Panthers are a bit challenged offensively, which could hurt them in a potential third-round game against high-scoring Gonzaga. But I do like Pitt in its second-round game against Wichita State. Overall, Pittsburgh is a team that's a bit better on paper than it is on the court. Speed them up and make them score, and the Panthers can be had.

TOURNEY PROFILE

Best wins: at Georgetown, UConn, Syracuse, at Cincinnati

Worst losses: at Rutgers, Marquette (OT), Notre Dame

To read the complete tournament guide preview for the Pittsburgh Panthers, and gain access to all of ESPN Insider's NCAA tournament coverage, sign up today.

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