Pitt Take 5: Slumping Notre Dame next for Panthers, and they can't afford to lose

There are five games remaining in Pitt’s regular season, but the last four might be beside the point.

If Pitt loses to Notre Dame on Saturday at Purcell Pavilion in South Bend, Ind., that would be loss No. 11 for the Panthers (16-10, 7-8 ACC). Worse, it would be against a team ranked No. 105 in the NCAA NET rankings. Pair that with Pitt’s earlier 20-point defeat against No. 103 Virginia — at home! — and you can easily see those NCAA Tournament committee members shaking their head at the mention of Pitt’s name.

OK, that’s one scenario.

If Pitt beats the Irish — and recent events indicate the odds are in its favor — that would bump the Panthers’ Quad 2 record to 4-1. Pitt may need to win all five, which would add up to a seven-game winning streak. The Panthers most recently won seven in a row — it grew to 10 — during the 2015-2016 season.

The most difficult test will occur March 1 at Louisville’s Yum! Center against the No. 27 Cardinals (20-6, 13-2). A loss there would make No. 50 Pitt’s Quad 1 record 1-9. More grim head shaking.

Let’s take a deeper look at Pitt’s final five games.

1. Shrewsberry’s rant

Notre Dame coach Micah Shrewsberry led Penn State into the 2023 NCAA Tournament, but after two seasons, he left to replace Mike Brey as Irish coach. Shrewsberry’s time with the Irish (24-35), however, hasn’t been pleasant.

After a 75-60 home loss Sunday to Louisville — when he said he was embarrassed with more Cardinals fans than Irish fans in Purcell Pavilion — he delivered an angry rant in defense of his players and himself that ended when he got up from his chair to leave and intentionally knocked over the mic.

“Don’t give up on these kids. They don’t deserve that,” he said.

He was only getting started.

“I don’t care about anybody’s opinion,” he said of his critics. “I know who I am. I know I can coach basketball. I know I’m turning this program around. Don’t come back when we’re winning because we’re turning this around. You better believe it. Everybody who gave up on me, believe it. Write this date down and believe it.”

2. The next day

Less than 24 hours later, Shrewsberry was much calmer Monday when asked on the ACC coaches’ conference call about his remarks.

“Just passionate about our guys,” he said. “You’re going to know exactly where you stand with me. I’m giving everything I got to our guys and everything I got to Notre Dame. All I care about is us and fighting for us and fighting for our guys.”

He obviously cares, but his passion has not been enough to sufficiently motivate his players.

Notre Dame (11-15, 5-10) lost to SMU at home Wednesday night, 97-73, the Irish’s fifth loss in the past six games. Notre Dame has suffered through five-, four-, three- and (now) two-game losing streaks and has lost three in a row at home. After the SMU game, he accused his players of having a lack of urgency.

It’s really simple: Pitt can’t afford to lose to this team.

3. Beware the ‘Wreck’

Along with Notre Dame and Louisville, Pitt plays No. 119 Georgia Tech, No. 134 N.C. State and No. 208 Boston College. At the moment, N.C. State is a Quad 2, but only two steps above Quad 3. Losses to Georgia Tech (Quad 3) and BC (Quad 4) would be devastating.

By the way, Georgia Tech is no pushover. The Ramblin’ Wreck have won four of their past five, including 77-70 against Louisville and 89-86 at Clemson in three overtimes.

One trivial note: At the same time, the Irish were losing to SMU, N.C. State lost at North Carolina also by a score of 97-73. What are the odds?

4. ‘Toughness’ travels

Pitt plays three of its next five on an opponent’s hardwood, where the Panthers are 3-6. Four of the six are by average margins of 23.5 points. The other two are two- and one-point decisions at Wake Forest and North Carolina. So, if you’re looking for a trend, forget it.

SMU is 6-2 on the road, and coach Andy Enfield said the secret ingredient is taking “your toughness with you.”

“Our team has some characteristics that at least give you a chance to win on the road.”

5. Not the best seat in the house

After missing one game while in concussion protocol, Lowe scored 17 in the victory against Syracuse to maintain his status as Pitt’s leading scorer (16.6 per game). “I felt perfectly fine,” he said.

But he wasn’t happy sitting on the bench for the Miami game, the only one he’s missed in two seasons.

“I was fidgeting on the bench the entire time. I was really nervous,” he said. “It felt a little weird cheering my guys on from the sideline.”

Lowe wanted to play — “If it was up to me, I’ll always play no matter what.” — but he understands the need to closely monitor head injuries.

“We have guidelines and protocol, make sure we keep guys safe,” he said.