Preview: Notre Dame at Pittsburgh PITTSBURGH (Interstat) — Two men’s basketball teams seeking to salvage difficult seasons will meet Saturday when the Notre Dame Fighting Irish visit the Pittsburgh Panthers in an Atlantic Coast Conference matchup at Petersen Events Center. The game, scheduled for Feb. 21, 2026, features a pair of programs below .500. Notre Dame (12-14 overall) arrives with modest momentum after an 89-74 home victory over Georgia Tech last Saturday. Pittsburgh (9-17) looks to snap a five-game losing streak, its most recent a 79-65 defeat at North Carolina. The matchup will hinge on the performance of each team’s standout scorer. Notre Dame sophomore guard Cole Certa is coming off a career-high 37-point performance against Georgia Tech, where he played all 40 minutes. Over his last seven games, Certa is averaging 21.9 points, including a 34-point outing in a double-overtime loss to Virginia. His scoring burst has been a bright spot for an Irish team that has lost eight of its last twelve. Pittsburgh will counter with junior forward Cameron Corhen, who is coming off his most complete game of the season. In the loss to the Tar Heels, Corhen posted 23 points, six rebounds and six assists. His versatility will be key for a Panthers’ offense that has struggled, failing to reach 70 points in four of its five consecutive losses. While Notre Dame’s offense has shown recent life, its defense remains a concern, having allowed an average of 84.4 points in its last five losses. Pittsburgh has had even greater difficulties scoring, held under 55 points twice during its current skid. The Panthers won the first meeting this season, 80-76 in overtime at Notre Dame on Jan. 27, behind a balanced effort. Certa scored 34 points in that loss for the Irish. With both teams near the bottom of the ACC standings, Saturday’s contest represents a critical opportunity to build confidence before the conference tournament. Following this game, Notre Dame hosts Duke on Feb. 24, while Pittsburgh begins a two-game West Coast trip at Stanford on Feb. 25. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. EST at Petersen Events Center.