In a crucial match for Pitt's hopes of securing an NCAA Tournament bid, the Panthers emerged victorious against the red-hot Virginia Cavaliers on Tuesday night. The win has proven to be a game-changer for Pitt, as they made a significant jump in the NET rankings.

Prior to their clash with Virginia, the Panthers held just one Quad 1 win, which came against Duke. Ranked at No. 60 in the NET rankings, Pitt was determined to take down the Cavaliers, who had been on an impressive winning streak of eight games.

And they did just that. When the NET rankings refreshed the morning after the game, the Panthers found themselves in a much higher position. Pitt climbed seven spots, now sitting at No. 53 in the NET rankings.

Amongst their ACC counterparts, the Panthers currently hold the sixth spot based on their NET ranking. Ahead of them are UNC at No. 11, Duke at No. 16, Clemson at No. 29, Wake Forest at No. 37, and Virginia at No. 41.

Pitt still has several matchups scheduled against teams such as Clemson, Wake Forest, Louisville, Virginia Tech, Boston College, Florida State, and NC State before the ACC Tournament commences on March 12. These upcoming games provide the Panthers with the opportunity to further improve their place in the NET rankings.

In terms of the NET rankings, Pitt fans have reason to set their sights on the No. 37 spot. Historical data reveals that in the three years since the NCAA introduced daily NET rankings, no team ranked in the top 37 at the end of the regular season has failed to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

With their recent triumph over Virginia and a favorable upcoming slate of games, Pitt is now in a promising position to make a strong case for an NCAA Tournament bid. The Panthers have proven they can compete with top-ranked teams and will continue to battle their way towards their ultimate goal.