Article:Providence Comes to the Pete

Providence Comes to the Pete
For the first time following the thrilling buzzer-beating win over West Virginia, Pitt will take the court tonight, this time taking on the Friars of Providence College. The Friars (13-10, 4-7 Big East) are struggling, so it doesn't look to be a tough game for Pitt. Still, Providence has a win at UConn under its belt, and Pitt can't afford to lose another easy one at home. The Panthers need to take every win they can get with a very difficult stretch coming up to finish off the Big East season (at Marquette, at ND, vs. Louisville, vs. Cincy, at Syracuse, at WVU, vs. DePaul). This is probably the easiest game Pitt has left on the schedule so they can't afford to lose it. A loss would drop them from the top 25 and knock Pitt out of the race for a bye in the Big East Tourney.

The other big news tonight is the potential return of Levance Fields. He's been practicing, cleared by doctors, and is likely to at least suit up tonight. At best he could see a few minutes of action. That would be fantastic if Fields could get some minutes before the Marquette game, where Pitt will need him a lot more than they will tonight.

Two other excellent previews of the game can be found here and here. I'll be there for the tip at 7:30 (also on FSN Pittsburgh).