Honestly, if you're asking about the Panthers right now, you're likely checking your watch and wondering if you missed tip-off or if the final buzzer just sounded. It’s Saturday, January 17, 2026, and the energy in Oakland is centered squarely on the Petersen Events Center.
The biggest thing on the radar today is the Pitt men's basketball team hosting No. 20 Louisville. This isn't just another January game; it's an 8:00 PM ET primetime showdown on ESPN2. If you're looking for a live score before 8:00 PM, there isn't one yet—the ball hasn't dropped. But if you’re catching this late, the eyes of the ACC are on whether Jeff Capel’s squad can build on that massive momentum they just picked up on the road.
The Recent Surge: Pitt 89, Georgia Tech 66
Before we get to tonight’s score, we have to talk about what happened on Wednesday. Pitt went into Atlanta and absolutely dismantled Georgia Tech.
89-66.
It was a statement. Brandin Cummings is basically on fire right now, dropping 23 points in that win. That followed a 29-point performance against Syracuse. When a guy is averaging 26 points over a two-game stretch, you stop wondering if he’s the real deal and just start watching. The Panthers shot 53% from the field in that game, which is the kind of efficiency that makes coaches sleep better at night.
Why the Louisville Game Matters
Louisville is coming in as a 7.5-point favorite, which feels a bit disrespectful to a Pitt team that just won by 23 on the road. But that's the ACC for you. The Cardinals are 12-5 and ranked in the top 20, while Pitt is sitting at 8-9. On paper, it looks like a mismatch. In the "Pete," however, things usually get weird.
You’ve got two teams heading in opposite directions. Louisville just dropped a game to Virginia (79-70), and Pitt is coming off their most complete win of the season.
- Tip-off: 8:00 PM ET
- Location: Petersen Events Center, Pittsburgh, PA
- Broadcast: ESPN2
- Key Player: Brandin Cummings (Sophomore Guard)
What About Pitt Football?
If you were looking for a football score, you’re a few weeks late to the party. The 2025 season wrapped up on December 27 in Annapolis at the Military Bowl. It wasn't the ending most fans wanted. Pitt fell to East Carolina 23-17.
The football season was a rollercoaster of "what ifs." They finished 8-5 overall, which sounds decent until you realize they were 6-2 in the ACC and had some real momentum mid-season. Those wins over Florida State (34-31) and Georgia Tech (42-28) showed flashes of brilliance, but the 38-7 blowout loss to Miami to end the regular season left a sour taste. Pat Narduzzi has already started shaking up the staff, recently making the hiring of Jeremy Davis official to try and patch up the defensive holes that leaked 37 points to Notre Dame.
Other Pitt Sports Scores You Might Have Missed
It's a busy weekend for the Blue and Gold. The wrestling team just pulled off a massive "Backyard Brawl" win yesterday, January 16.
No. 15 Pitt 17, No. 22 West Virginia 15. It came down to the wire. TJ Langley’s major decision at 149 pounds was probably the turning point, but it took a string of wins in the final bouts to clinch it. If you're a wrestling fan, that 17-15 score is the one you should be bragging about at the bar tonight.
On the women’s side, the basketball team had a tough break on Thursday, losing 69-65 to Florida State. They have a chance to bounce back tomorrow, Sunday the 18th, against SMU at 1:00 PM.
What to Watch For Next
If you are currently tracking the what is the score of the pitt game query for the Louisville matchup, keep an eye on the turnover margin. In their win against Georgia Tech, Pitt forced 15 turnovers and turned them into 12 steals. If they can harass Louisville’s guards the same way, that +253 moneyline for Pitt starts looking like a very smart play.
Check the live box score on ESPN or the official Pitt Panthers site for the minute-by-minute updates once the clock starts at 8:00 PM.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Tune in to ESPN2 at 8:00 PM ET to catch the live action between Pitt and No. 20 Louisville.
- Monitor the status of Brandin Cummings in the first ten minutes; if he hits two early threes, expect a high-scoring night.
- Check the wrestling results from the Nittany Lion Challenge happening today if you want to see how the track and field teams are performing in State College.
- Clear your schedule for Sunday at 1:00 PM if you want to support the women's basketball team against SMU.