GAME NOTES: Not much has gone right for the Toledo Rockets this season, and they are huge underdogs this afternoon against the 14th-ranked Pittsburgh Panthers. Toledo owns a disappointing 1-5 record, and all four of their true road games have ended in defeat. With three losses by seven or fewer points, it is fair to say that the Rockets have been more competitive than their record suggests. On Wednesday, they dropped a 65-61 decision to UNC-Wilmington on the road. As for Pittsburgh, it has jumped out to a 6-0 start, and every game has taken place at home thus far. All of the wins have come by double figures, including an 80-53 romp over Boston University on Tuesday. The Panthers have played a weak schedule thus far, but the upcoming Big East Conference slate will present many challenges. Pittsburgh owns a 2-1 series edge over Toledo, and the teams haven't met since 1990.

Toledo has struggled at both ends of the floor through six games. The Rockets are averaging only 58.3 ppg on 40 percent shooting from the floor, including 29.1 percent accuracy from three-point range. At the defensive end, they are permitting 70.0 ppg on 51.1 percent overall shooting by opponents. Toledo is being outrebounded by 7.5 rpg and is averaging fewer than 10 assists per outing. Tyrone Kent has been the top offensive performer for the Rockets, as he is netting 18.5 ppg. Jonathan Amos checks in with 13.3 ppg as the only other double-digit scorer on the roster. Kent posted 18 points, nine assists and six rebounds against UNC-Wilmington, Amos and Jerrah Young tallied 16 points apiece. Unfortunately, the Rockets permitted the Seahawks to shoot 52.4 percent from the field.

Pittsburgh is scoring 85.0 ppg on 49.4 percent shooting from the floor, and the club is limiting opponents to 54.0 ppg on 36.1 percent efficiency from the field. The Panthers are outrebounding foes by 13.5 rpg and have forced more than 18 turnovers per contest. Sam Young is the leading scorer for Pitt with 18.2 ppg on 66.2 percent shooting from the field, and he is pulling down 8.5 rpg as well. DeJuan Blair is the only other double-digit scorer on the roster, as he is posting 10.2 ppg and 7.8 rpg. Four of Pitt's five starters scored in double figures in the victory over Boston University on Tuesday. Ronald Ramon led the charge with 15 points, and Young was close behind with 14 points. Mike Cook and Levance Fields managed 11 points apiece for the Panthers, who shot 50.9 percent from the floor and limited their overmatched opponents to 31.5 percent efficiency.

Pitt is the obvious pick in this contest. Expect a balanced offensive effort and smothering defense from the Panthers as they cruise to another convincing win.