UNC basketball vs Pitt: Score prediction, scouting report for ACC Tournament

UNC basketball is one win away from playing for a championship at the 2024 ACC Tournament.

Coming off a dominant performance against Florida State on Thursday, the fourth-ranked Tar Heels (26-6) will face Pittsburgh (22-10) at 7 p.m. Friday in the semifinals (ESPN/2) at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

UNC had four players finish in double figures in the quarterfinals, led by RJ Davis — the ACC Player of the Year — and Armando Bacot.

Here’s a look at some other things to know and a score prediction as the Tar Heels try to clinch a spot in Saturday’s ACC championship game.

UNC basketball’s Armando Bacot thrives against Pitt

Armando Bacot started his final ACC Tournament with 14 points and 10 rebounds against Florida State. Given his history against Pitt, Bacot could be in line for another double-double performance against the Panthers this week. Bacot has averaged 15.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in six games against Pitt.

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All about Pitt’s Blake Hinson, Ishmael Leggett

With Blake Hinson and Ishmael Leggett, Pitt has two of the top players in the ACC. Hinson, a first-team All-ACC selection, is averaging 22.6 points in the last three games. UNC’s Harrison Ingram did a good job slowing down Hinson in the first meeting, limiting Pitt’s top scorer to 11 points on 4-for-16 shooting. Leggett, the ACC’s Sixth Man of the Year, dropped 30 points against Wake Forest on Thursday but had four points against the Tar Heels earlier this season.

Cormac Ryan still on fire from 3-point range

UNC’s Cormac Ryan has enjoyed the nets away from the Smith Center of late. In Ryan’s last three games away from Chapel Hill, he’s averaging 21 points on 62.7% shooting. Looking at his success from beyond the arc, Ryan has made 15-of-23 shots from long range. Pitt is 26th nationally in 3-point defense, so Ryan could give UNC a much-needed boost.

UNC vs Pitt score prediction

UNC 77, Pitt 71: The Panthers are fighting for an NCAA Tournament berth and Blake Hinson is capable of carrying a team, but Pitt doesn’t have an answer for Armando Bacot or Harrison Ingram. The Tar Heels' depth in the frontcourt will be the difference.

Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: UNC basketball score prediction vs Pitt at ACC Tournament