ACC Basketball: 2017-18 conference power rankings

ACC basketball: Power ranking the league down the stretch

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - January 31: Head coach Tony Bennett of the Virginia Cavaliers reacts to a call in the first half during a game against the Louisville Cardinals at John Paul Jones Arena on January 31, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

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DURHAM, NC – JANUARY 20: Head coach Kevin Stallings of the Pittsburgh Panthers reacts during their game against the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 20, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Last week: Home loss 94-60 vs Louisville – Home loss 81-58 vs Boston College

The losses continue to pile up for Pitt, but head coach Kevin Stallings is sticking with his youth movement, starting four freshmen in their most recent game.

Losses to teams like UNC and Clemson can’t upset Pitt too much. Both teams punished the Panthers on the glass and shot over 40 percent from the 3-point line. They didn’t stand much of a chance. Stallings did get some nice performances from freshman Terrell Brown, who averaged 16.5 points per game in the two losses.

The talent gap remains very wide for the Panthers against the cream of the crop in the ACC, but they should at least pose a threat against other struggling teams. That is precisely why this current week’s 23-point blowout loss to Boston College is so frustrating for Pitt fans.

It is starting to feel like a winless (0-18) conference season is very much in play. Half of their last four games are at home, but one of those home games is against perhaps the best team in the country in Virginia. Pittsburgh goes on the road against Florida State on Sunday, which will be a tough game. Their best chance for an ACC win may come February 21st, when they play second-to-last place Wake Forest at home.

This week: Today vs Florida State (H) – Wednesday vs Wake Forest – Saturday vs Virginia (H)