GAME NOTES: With the hopes of ending a seven-game losing streak, the Virginia Tech Hokies play host to the Pittsburgh Panthers on Tuesday night in an ACC matchup at Cassell Coliseum.

Buzz Williams' first season at the helm in Blacksburg hasn't exactly gone according to plan. The Hokies did show some signs of life during non- conference play, but the team hasn't won since late December and has dropped seven straight games, including all six of its league bouts. The last four however, have all come against Top-25 opponents, including Sunday's 50-47 near upset of No. 2 Virginia.

Jamie Dixon's Panthers are also dealing with a losing streak, as they have dropped back-to-back games to powerhouses Duke (79-65) and most recently, Louisville (80-68). The loss to the Cardinals leaves Pittsburgh at 13-7 overall and just 3-4 in conference play.

This marks the 10th all-time meeting between these two programs. Pittsburgh holds a 6-3 series advantage thanks to wins in each of the last five meetings.

There really wasn't much Pittsburgh could do against Louisville, as the Cardinals set a Petersen Events Center record for an opponent, converting a scorching 65.2 percent from the floor in handing the Panthers a home defeat. Meanwhile, Pitt only delivered on 37.3 percent from the floor in the loss and yielded 40 points to Louisville in both halves of the game. Jamel Artis had a good game in defeat, finishing with 18 points and eight rebounds. He was joined in double figures by James Robinson (16 pts), Michael Young (14 pts) and Chris Jones (12 pts).

Pittsburgh really hasn't dominated in any phase of the game this season and it reflects in the team's modest records both in and out of conference. The Panthers enter this contest ranked 11th in the league in scoring at just 67.3 ppg, while placing eighth in scoring defense (63.7 ppg). Young is usually the go-to guy for Pitt, as he is shooting .510 from the floor (9th in the ACC), while pacing the team in both scoring (13.6 ppg) and rebounding (7.7 rpg). Artis (10.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg) has come on strong of late and is second on the team in both categories. Robinson (10.1 ppg) and Jones (9.1 ppg) give the team a couple of more offensive options.

The Hokies blew a golden opportunity to end their ACC drought and pull off one of the biggest upsets of the season, as they held a 10-point lead deep into the second half against second-ranked Virginia on Sunday. Tech was unable to hold off the Cavaliers, who battled back for the three-point victory. It was the third straight game without freshman star Justin Bibbs in the lineup. Adam Smith led the Hokies in defeat with 15 points, but there was very little offensive support elsewhere.

Virginia Tech isn't exactly putting up strong offensive numbers this season and that includes the games that Bibbs has played in. The 6-6 youngster is tops on the team in scoring at 13.6 ppg, shooting a healthy .503 from the floor. However, he has been sidelined with a concussion and is expected to miss this game as well. That will leave Smith (12.6 ppg), Ahmed Hill (8.5 ppg) and Devin Wilson (7.4 ppg) to pick up the slack once again.

The Hokies are probably still kicking themselves for the way the Virginia game ended. Getting up for this one won't be easy, especially with Bibbs still sidelined. Expect Pittsburgh to get back into a groove after two straight against some of the nation's best.