Pittsburgh Basketball has just one game left in the non-conference schedule, taking on the Sam Houston Bearkats. The Conference USA program is ranked 127 in kenpom and is one of the top buy-game opponents for the Panthers on the schedule.
This is the kind of game where, if the Panthers aren’t careful, they could be in for a tough fight for 40 minutes. Here are the keys to the team avoiding being on upset watch.
1. Defend Lamar Wilkerson
Last year, Sam Houston’s offense was fairly balanced. This season, Wilkerson has emerged as the clear go-to option, leading the team with 20.0 ppg on 49% shooting from the field and from deep. The 6’4 guard had 19 points against Baylor and 18 versus Indiana, so he is capable of having a nice game versus Pittsburgh. If he goes off, Pitt could be in trouble.
2. Defend the 3-point shot
Wilkerson isn’t the only talented three-point shooter for the Bearkats, with the team ranking top-15 nationally at 40% from deep. Cameron Huefner (36%) and forward Dorian Finister (37%) are also capable floor spacers. Teams who can shoot from deep are prone to upsets, and the Panthers need to slow them down on the perimeter so as not to have to sweat the final minutes.
3. Getting production out of the 5-spot
On the season, Cameron Corhen is averaging 10.0 ppg and 6.2 rpg. But the last four games have been a struggle, scoring just 17 points total. He only had five points in 29 minutes against Eastern Kentucky, with backup Papa Kante outplaying him when he got on the floor.
It would be an ideal scenario to see Corhen get back on track ahead of ACC play. But Kante could also be looking to cut into his minutes. Eastern Kentucky doesn’t have a lot of size outside of 6’11 center Kalifa Sakho so it’s a game where Pitt should have the advantage inside. But will the production match that?