The Panthers (19-6, 8-4) try to exorcise the demons of the Bradley Center as they play Marquette (16-8, 7-5) tonight at 9:00 on ESPN2. The Panthers are 0-3 in the Bradley Center since Marquette joined the Big East and tonight would be a good time for their first win in this building. These two teams are battling for the 4 seed in the Big East tournament and the coveted double bye. Marquette brings the longest winning streak in the Big East tonight at 5 games. Pitt is looking for their 9th 20 win season in a row tonight and are looking to capitilize on their big win against WVU. Both teams are surprises in the Big East as Pitt was picked to finish 9th and Marquette 12th according to the Big East coaches’ preseason poll.

If the Panthers want to win tonight they have to do the following:

1. Stop the 3 – Marquette is one of the top 3 point shooting teams in the nation, 42.3%, and all 5 starters shoot successfully more then 35% from behind the arc. The old adage goes, “Live by the 3, Die by the 3″ and Marquette escaped their game against South Florida on Saturday after shooting 6 of 16 from behind the arc, but their defense stepped up big time.
2. Gilbert Brown shows up – Gilbert Brown has been a roller coaster since the South Florida game, huge game, terrible game, repeat. Brown played really well in the OT thriller against WVU, lets hope the roller coaster ride stops and instead of having a let down game he goes off. When he goes off, it really allows Ashton Gibbs to shine; when Brown is off, Gibbs has to force shots.
3. Hit the boards – For 4 of the past 5 games, the Panthers have been outrebounded. Tonight they cannot give Marquette second chance oppurtunities. Gary McGhee should thrive tonight on the glass, as Marquette’s tallest player in the starting 5 is 6’6″.

Marquette is going to come out fighting, they see this as their ticket to the Big Dance as it is the last chance they have until the Big East tournament to face a Top 25 school and have a record of 2-4 currently against Top 25 schools. I see tonight being the night finally scores a victory in the Bradley Center and holds onto the 4 seed in the Big East.

Prediction: 68-61 Pitt