PITTSBURGH PANTHERS

Seed: No. 8

Coach: Jamie Dixon

Record: 24-8

Strength: The Panthers are a defensive-minded club that gives up just 55.4 points per game, ranking sixth nationally. Pittsburgh is balanced offensively with leading scorer Tray Woodall averaging 11.8 points. The Panthers take care of the ball with a 1.52 assist-to-turnover ratio that is third in the nation.

Season highlight: The Panthers crushed Georgetown 73-45 in Washington D.C. in January, the second-largest Big East road win in school history. Pittsburgh also beat Villanova twice and handled Syracuse in the regular season.

Style of play: Pittsburgh has made nine NCAA trips in Dixon’s 10 seasons as head coach. Pittsburgh relies on hard-nosed defense – opponents make just 39.3 percent their shots. The Panthers’ 16.5 assists per game ranks seventh nationally. Woodall averages 5.2 assists per game.