Today marks the birth of a new weekly column called Bracket Watch where we will update you, our readers, on where Pitt lies in the rankings, where they are in the Big East standings, and where they are in Bracketology. Not only that, but we will give our own thoughts and where they lie and preview the week’s games.

The new rankings came out yesterday and Pitt is 19 in the AP Poll, up from 25, and 21 in the ESPN/USA Today Poll, up from 23. Granted played an easy non-conference game early in the week against Robert Morris, I personally feel like Pitt was disrespected in the ESPN/USA Today Poll even after their triple overtime victory against rival West Virginia. Just looking at teams that jumped Pitt are Temple and Vanderbilt. Temple beat Rhode Island, and Vanderbilt beat then 12 Tennessee at home. One would think beating WVU is a more quality win then beating Rhode Island, but I guess the voters didn’t see it that way. I can see Vanderbilt jumping Pitt more then I can see Temple jumping them, Vandy pounded Tennessee the whole game, Pitt required triple OT to put away WVU. I figured Pitt would be about 18-19 in both polls and higher in ESPN/USA Today poll.

Joe Lunardi has Pitt listed as a 5 seed in Midwest Region this week in his Bracketology. This would put Pitt in Kansas’ bracket and a possible round two game against Gonzaga in Spokane. This seed feels right for me, right now I would call Pitt a low 5/high 6 seed. Going by Lunardi’s bracket, this would put Pitt as the 4th 5 seed. No complaints here, nice job Joe. For those wondering, Pitt has a RPI of 14 and a strength of schedule of 9.

Pitt is currently tied with West Virginia for third in the Big East, but loses in the tiebreaker and is currently 4th in the Big East. The two have two shared games in Providence and Villanova. I give a slight edge in favorable schedule to WVU for now and especially this week with their two games coming at Providence and against Seton Hall. What’s really important for Pitt is staying in the top 4 of the Big East and getting the double bye, because unless a miracle occurs, Pitt isn’t winning the regular season Big East championship.

Pitt isn’t too fortunate in scheduling this week as they have two very tough matchups in at Marquette on Thursday at 9:00 and against Villanova on Sunday at 12:00. Pitt can never seem to top Marquette no matter who is playing for Marquette or how good or bad they are. Marquette is nipping at Pitt’s heels for the 4th seed in the Big East and a win here gives Pitt a little breathing room. Sunday is all about revenge and what could have been for Pitt after last year’s Elite Eight showdown with Villanova and seeing Scottie Reynold run down the court to send Nova to the Final Four. While Pitt is not as good as last year, you know the video will be running for the players who remember the heart break.

It should be a fun week for the Panthers and Panther fans this week.

Hail To Pitt!