NCAA Basketball: Purdue, Virginia falls, Marquette and Gonzaga rise in top 25 power rankings

25. Pittsburgh Panthers – 21-8 (14-4 ACC)

After losing on the road at Virginia Tech, it looked as if both the ACC regular-season title and a chance to be a top-25 team had vanished. Yet just about every single thing that needed to happen did happen for them this past week, outside of Duke losing to guarantee them a double-bye in the ACC Tournament.

It wasn’t easy at first, with Pittsburgh taking on Georgia Tech at home, a team that has been playing better as of late. It was a close game for almost the entire time, as the Panthers weren’t shooting it as great. But they did just enough to skate by the Yellow Jackets, winning 76-68. Nelly Cummings led the team with 22 points, six rebounds, and seven assists, while Blake Hinson had 19 on 5/9 shooting from deep.

The next game was at home against Syracuse on Senior Night, with five guys getting recognized. Four of them not only started but scored in double figures in what ended up being a blowout, 99-82. Six players had 10+ points, led by Hinson with another 22. Cummings had 14 points and 13 assists, while Jamarius Burton had 14 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists.

With both Miami and Virginia losing on Saturday, Pittsburgh is now in sole possession of first place in the ACC. They’ll look to clinch at least a share of the title on Wednesday on the road at Notre Dame, before a huge clash on Saturday at Miami.