PITTSBURGH (AP) — Three months ago, No. 23 Louisville’s trip to Pittsburgh looked like a pivotal showdown between perennial Big East powers.
Instead, it’s battle for survival.
A year after winning the conference regular season title, Pitt (11-8, 0-6 Big East) has lost seven straight and is languishing in last place. The Panthers have struggled without point guard Tray Woodall, who could return after playing just once over the last two months due to groin and abdominal injuries.
Pitt won’t get any sympathy from the injury-ravaged Cardinals (14-5, 2-4), who are dealing with a series of issues to key players, including forward Rakeem Buckles, who tore the ACL in his left knee in a loss to Marquette on Monday and is out for the rest of this season and all of next season.
