Pitt’s first NCAA Tournament game in seven years was a memorable one, and the Panthers showed the nation that they were indeed a tournament team.
Despite not having his starting center due to injury and his first-team All-ACC player having foul issues for most of the game, Pitt hung on with a team strong and physical from Mississippi State and made every clutch play down. stretch to claim a 60-59 win.
Pitt’s senior class of Greg Elliott, Nike Sibande, Nelly Cummings and Jamarius Burton were embraced as Pitt won his first tournament match since 2013-14.
Next, Iowa State on Friday!
This clip says a lot about what Heather Lyke did at Pitt. The latest achievement was to resurrect the men’s baseball team and now she sees that paying off in March, and the players are showing their love. https://t.co/yM1TL4iFxA
— Nathan Breisinger (@NateBreisinger) March 15, 2023
I feel really good for Nelly Cummings. Someone who came home and carried Pittsburgh on his back all season to rebuild the program. Now he’s one of the catalysts to lead the team back to its first NCAAT win in 9 years. Sport is cool man.
—Nick Farabaugh (@Nick_Farabaugh) March 15, 2023
“The strength of this TEAM is THE TEAM! » @Pitt_MBB @jeffcapel #H2P https://t.co/n3ZfJD0pNb
— Heather Lyke (@Pitt_LykeAD) March 15, 2023
It’s all love, Panthers 💙💛
@jeffcapel X @Pitt_LykeAD pic.twitter.com/g1FBuTvUTG
— Pitt Panthers (@Pitt_ATHLETICS) March 15, 2023
March. pic.twitter.com/7oH4w7MO9H
— Pitt Basketball (@Pitt_MBB) March 15, 2023
Not overreacting but Pitt makes the Final Four
– Gold Lot Sports (@GoldLotSports) March 15, 2023
What a game. HAIL pic.twitter.com/EBCi96I7EU
—Daniel K (@danielk276) March 15, 2023
And for all those Pittsburgh fans who don’t think #FirstFour games are part #NCAATournament have you ever changed your mind?
— John Krysinsky (@JohnKrysinsky) March 15, 2023
Oh. My. Lord.
Pitt just came out of a 40 minute war. AND WE EMERGED WITH AN NCAA TOURNAMENT VICTORY.
I couldn’t be more proud of this team. Every player made a decisive play today. EVERYONE.
LET’S KEEP DANCING! SURVIVE AND ADVANCE! WE SEE YOU ON FRIDAY! #H2P 🔵🟡
— Kyle Saxon (@DixonDisciple) March 15, 2023
Hey @BFW pic.twitter.com/Th78UPZVor
— The Loyal Sons (@TheLoyalSons) March 15, 2023
Yes sir @Pitt_MBB !!! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾#H2P
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) March 15, 2023
#H2P #H2P #H2P pic.twitter.com/d3Wsp9Fbon
— Kellie Burkett (@KellieBwpxi) March 15, 2023
Did we just watch the best match of the tournament? Excellent work by both teams. Let’s go to the state of Iowa! #H2P
— DC Pitt (@DCPitt04) March 15, 2023
This game felt like a long and painful colonoscopy but SURVIVE AND MOVE ON!!!!!! BIG VICTORY!!!!! #H2P 🟡🔵
— Harry G. Psaros (@PittGuru) March 15, 2023
Jubilee scene here pic.twitter.com/gNwEQiU3G
—Jim Hammett (@JimHammett) March 15, 2023
Greg Elliott shares a hug with Heather Lyke… cool moment. From 0-18 on Stallings’ ACC team, to this? Big milestone for Pitt.
—Mitchell Northam (@primetimeMitch) March 15, 2023
Survive and advance!!
What a welcome back to #MarchMadness @Pitt_MBB
It wasn’t pretty but it doesn’t have to be.
I’ve enjoyed this team all season and I’m glad to have another round with them
— John Krysinsky (@JohnKrysinsky) March 15, 2023
It’s been a long time, but Pitt is returning to March Madness in an exciting way. Baby H2P.
— Carlo Veltri (@vetchy119) March 15, 2023
LETS GOOO PITT 7 YEARS OF SUFFERING ARE OVER pic.twitter.com/3qUJa2LZfW
— Damen McDermott (@damen84) March 15, 2023
So much heart. If you don’t like this team, you’re not a Pitt fan.
— The Loyal Sons (@TheLoyalSons) March 15, 2023
LET’S GO GOOO!!!
— Jason Collier (@JasonCollier50) March 15, 2023
I had forgotten how awesome it is! My heart beats wildly! What a race! See you Friday!
— Kraig Riley (@KraigRiley) March 15, 2023
At no time does it say
Earn cute reels or highlight points or style points
SURVIVE AND ADVANCE!!!
No Fedi. Minimal Burton. So much heart!!#h2p 🏀🏀
— Brian Keller (@bkonhoops) March 15, 2023
It was an amazing basketball game. God I love March Madness.
— Logan Carney (@Media_Carnival) March 15, 2023
Good God. The 3 wide open AND the point at the edge. My word.
— Chris Mueller (@ChrisMuellerPGH) March 15, 2023
Come on yoooooooooo
— Rashad Battle (@RashadBattle15) March 15, 2023
I have no words. I’m so proud of this fucking team!!
We’ll ignore the last defensive play but let’s go Pitt!!!
— Tristan Freeman (@hoopsnut351) March 15, 2023
PITT IS BACK
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) March 15, 2023
HAIL 2 FUCK PITT!!!
— 👉🏾👉🏽👉🏼JOE👈🏼👈🏽👈🏾 (@PittFamily4Life) March 15, 2023
The Diaz Graham Legacy game. Wow what a game.
— Adam Chest (@adamborst__) March 15, 2023
WE DID IT! HAIL IN PITT
– Gold Lot Sports (@GoldLotSports) March 15, 2023
Unreal defensive effort! Incredible D all this game
— Scaztastic (@Scaztastic) March 15, 2023
GUSTY. #Pitt
— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) March 15, 2023
YES SIRRRRR!!! CONGRATULATIONS TO PITT!!! 💛💙🏀 We’re really going to dance now! 💃🏽
— Rachael Kriger (@RachaelKriger) March 15, 2023
As we all knew, Mississippi State can’t shoot three.
— Chris Mueller (@ChrisMuellerPGH) March 15, 2023
— Bob Greenburg (@BobGreenburg) March 15, 2023
As we’ve all been saying all week, Mississippi State can’t make a three. No sweating.
—Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) March 15, 2023
GREENSBORO WE ARE COMING
— Oakland Zoo (@OaklandZoo) March 15, 2023
IT’S MARCH!!!!! IT’S PITT. IN ADVANCE !!!
— Pitt Panthers Fanatics (@PittFanaticsFB) March 15, 2023
We got ’em all the way H2P
— Dave Yazz (@dyarksky) March 15, 2023
JB😤 pic.twitter.com/LpLMdwHPVc
— Pitt Panthers (@Pitt_ATHLETICS) March 15, 2023
My heart beats wildly.
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) March 15, 2023