Pitt tries to move up ACC ranks in finale vs. Boston College

Pitt will finish the regular season with an eye on Atlantic Coast Conference postseason seeding Saturday in a home battle against Boston College, a team that won't move on to postseason play.

Pitt (16-14, 7-12 ACC) has clinched a spot in the conference tournament, but could be seeded anywhere from No. 10 to No. 13 depending on the weekend's action. Despite the solid one-two scoring punch of guards Jaland Lowe (16.8 ppg) and Ishmael Leggett (16.1 ppg), the Panthers have struggled in league play, coming in on a four-game losing streak.

Leggett is one of four seniors whom Pitt will honor on Senior Night, along with Zack Austin, Damian Dunn and Vason Stephenson. Aside from Stephenson, who is a walk-on, the other three Pitt seniors are transfers, so their experience will be a bit different than that of Pitt coach Jeff Capel, who played four seasons for Mike Krzyzewski at Duke.

Capel praised his senior leaders heading into the game, particularly Leggett.

"It's my honor to get to coach (Leggett), and more importantly, just to know him," Capel said. "Obviously, what we're going through since January is killing him just like it is me and us."

Boston College (12-18, 4-15) might not be too sympathetic, as the Eagles have already been eliminated from the ACC tournament field and will end their season at Pitt. Earl Grant's team has lost seven of its last nine games, including the last three.

Sophomore Donald Hand Jr. (15.9 ppg) leads the team, while senior Chad Venning (12.5 ppg) has battled injuries recently. Venning missed Boston College's 78-69 loss to No. 11 Clemson on Wednesday and the senior's status is uncertain.

Grant was philosophical about his team's difficult season after the loss.

"I think you learn from your experiences, and learning is a gift, even if pain is the teacher," Grant said. "There's been some pain ... We'll learn from it. The young guys will grow up and we'll get to the other side of this adversity."

--Field Level Media