Pitt hopes to end 3-game losing streak, but No. 16 Virginia Tech stands in the way

Pitt is reeling from a three-game losing streak, hoping to prevent it from growing to the lengths it did the past two seasons.

From the start of February through the remainder of the regular season, Pitt was 1-9 in 2019, 2-8 in 2020.

The Panthers’ first game of the last full month of this season is Wednesday at Petersen Events Center against their toughest foe to date, No. 16 Virginia Tech.

The Hokies are one of only eight schools in the nation with four victories against teams ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 at the time of the game: Villanova, Clemson, Duke and Virginia. No. 1 Gonzaga is the other.

The Hokies (13-3, 7-2 ACC) are coming off an impressive 65-51 victory against No. 14 Virginia on Saturday. Coach Jeff Capel watched that game and came away impressed by Virginia Tech’s 6-foot-9 junior forward Keve Aluma.

“To think that kid was at Wofford (before transferring to Virginia Tech),” Capel said. “He was absolutely dominant in the last eight minutes against Virginia. We’re going to have to figure out a way to try to slow him down a little bit.”

Aluma scored nine points in six minutes late in the game to help Virginia Tech turn a three-point deficit into a 14-point victory. For the game, his stat line read 29 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and one block with no turnovers or fouls.

Hokies coach Mike Young was at Wofford with Aluma in 2018-2019 when the Terriers were 30-5 and defeated Seton Hall in the first round of the NCAA Tournament before losing to No. 2 Kentucky, 62-56.

With the Hokies, Aluma is averaging 14.8 points and 7.6 rebounds while leading the ACC in free-throw attempts (88). He has made 62 for a 70.5% success rate.

Virginia Tech is one of five fortunate ACC teams that have played 16 or 17 games. The Hokies have done it in the midst of a pandemic while maintaining consistent performances.

“I say this as I knock on wood for the 3,000th time this year,” Young said. “We haven’t missed a practice.”

Yet, he admits, “You’re on pins and needles. We’re not immune. We’ve been really lucky. By the grace of the good Lord, we’ve been spared here so far.”

Virginia Tech had two ACC games postponed, compared to six for Pitt, including the Florida State game twice.

Virginia Tech, picked 11th in the ACC preseason poll, will throw a balanced lineup at Pitt (8-5, 4-4).

Jalen Cone is a threat from the 3-point line, leading the ACC with 2.6 3-pointers per game (a total of 34).

“That kid misses a couple shots, I’m still going to run stuff for him,” Young said. “I never have had to encourage that guy to shoot, I can assure you of that.”

Graduate senior point guard Wabissa Bede has committed only 24 turnovers with 44 assists in 16 games.

“I’m almost convinced that the most important person in our program is Bede,” Young said. “His stability. He’s not going to turn the ball over.”

But defense has been the team’s hallmark over the past two victories against Notre Dame (62-51) and Virginia.

“The mantra around here is defense travels,” Young said. “We should be really good in that regard, night-in and night-out.”