No. 15 Notre Dame Vs. No. 2 Pitt: Can Panthers Keep Big East Run Alive At Home?

GAME NOTES: Notre Dame has been impossible to beat at home this season, as it has racked up victories in all 13 games in South Bend. Unfortunately, the Fighting Irish have struggled in enemy territory, as all three true road games have resulted in defeat. On Saturday, Notre Dame treated the home crowd to an 80-75 victory over Marquette, pushing its record to 16-4 overall and 5-3 in Big East action.

Like Notre Dame, Pittsburgh is 13-0 at home, and that mark is actually relevant tonight considering that this showdown is being played at the Petersen Events Center. Overall, the Panthers are 19-1, and they are the only Big East team without a league loss (7-0). They have won their last nine games overall and are coming off an 80-50 romp over DePaul on Saturday.

The Fighting Irish took a 28-27 advantage in the all-time series with the Panthers thanks to wins in both meetings last season.

There is no shortage of offensive talent in place for Notre Dame, which possesses four double-digit scorers. Ben Hansbrough leads the club with his 16.4 ppg on the strength of 42.5 percent shooting from three-point range, and he is handing out 3.9 apg. Tim Abromaitis checks in with 14.9 ppg and 6.7 rpg, while Carleton Scott adds 11.4 ppg. Tyrone Nash is netting 10.0 ppg for the Irish, who are generating 75.4 ppg while allowing 65.1 ppg to opponents. In the five-point win over Marquette on Saturday, Hansbrough was unstoppable, as he poured in 28 points and handed out six assists while shooting 10-of-15 from the floor. Nash netted 13 points, and the team won despite a six-point effort by Abromaitis. Notre Dame connected on 53.5 percent of its field goal attempts and earned a 28-15 edge in points from the foul line.

Pittsburgh clearly gets the job done at both ends of the floor, as the team is racking up 79.9 ppg while limiting opponents to 62.2 ppg on 40.1 percent field goal efficiency. Ashton Gibbs leads the Panthers with 15.9 ppg on 45.4 percent shooting from three-point range, and Brad Wanamaker checks in with 12.7 ppg and 111 assists. As for Gilbert Brown, he provides 11.6 ppg, and the fact that all three players mentioned are gifted passers has been a key ingredient to success. Pitt put forth a smothering defensive effort on Saturday against DePaul, holding the Blue Demons to 34.5 percent field goal efficiency, which included a 4-of-14 showing from three-point range. A 48-33 rebounding advantage certainly helped the cause, as did a 7-of-13 effort from three-point range. Brown scored 17 points, Gibbs tallied 13 points and Wanamaker handed out nine assists. As for Gary McGhee, he ripped down 15 rebounds.

Expect yet another home win for Pittsburgh and another road loss for Notre Dame. There is no reason to ignore the trends in this one.

GAME NOTES: The Pittsburgh Panthers continue their quest for the Big East Conference title as they welcome the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to town this evening.

FACTS & STATS: Site: Petersen Events Center (12,500) -- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Television: ESPN. Home Record: Notre Dame 13-0, Pitt 13-0. Away Record: Notre Dame 0-3, Pitt 3-0. Neutral Record: Notre Dame 3-1, Pitt 3-1. Conference Record: Notre Dame 5-3, Pitt 7-0. Series Record: Notre Dame leads, 28-27.

Pittsburgh 74, Notre Dame 66