On Monday night in Blacksburg, Virginia, Pitt once again came out slow and could never claw its way back, falling to Virginia Tech for the second-straight game and extending its losing streak to four.
In the second matchup in three days for the two conference foes, the Hokies once again used a double-digit first-half lead to propel themselves to a dominant 74-47 victory.
Virginia Tech opened the game by missing its first six shots, however, Pitt could only build up a 5-0 lead in that time. The game, or more specifically the first half, was right there for the taking.
However, it was Virginia Tech that turned up the intensity and production, while Pitt once again went silent.
The Hokies went on a 21-5 run, which at one point included 17-straight points as well as six minutes scoreless minutes for Pitt. Later in the period, they used a 7-0 run to finish off the half and take an 18-point lead into the locker room.
The second half was more of the same for the Panthers, as they let Virginia Tech increase its lead to as much as 26 and come away with the victory by 27.
Femi Odukale and Mo Gueye were the only two Panthers that scored more than eight points in the loss. The two combined for 31 points, as Odukale led the way with 16 and Gueye followed with 15.
Gueye’s three-point shooting was on full display in the loss, as he hit a season-high five threes on seven attempts from deep.
John Hugley came off the bench for the first time all season just days after he struggled his way to just two points in the previous matchup. However, it was more of the same for Hugley on Monday, as he posted just two points on 1-for-4 shooting.
William Jeffress logged some second-half minutes for the Panthers after not playing on Saturday, and made the most of his time. He finished with eight points on 2-for-3 shooting from deep.
With the win, Virginia Tech improved to 14-10 (6-7 ACC), while Pitt fell to 8-16 (3-10 ACC). This is now the sixth- straight season in which Pitt has lost at least ten conference games.
That streak of six seasons comes after the program lost more than ten conference games just twice in 16 years from 2000-01 to 2015-16.
Pitt’s next game comes on Wednesday, Feb. 9 when it travels down to Tallahassee to take on 13-9 Florida State. The Seminoles own a 9-3 record at home on the year and are currently 6-6 in conference play. That game will tip off at 9 p.m. on ACC Network.
Another debacle.
Another blow out.
Capel has no idea how to coach players. Each player has a different personality and has to be motivated in a way that makes him confident and eager to do his best. Hugley like Toney knows his potential and does not react well to public disciple. Hugley has a high ceiling of talent. He needs to believe Capel is counting on him. How? Convince him that his ticket to the NBA is getting his weight down to 240lbs. That Pitt cannot win without him being the man at Pitt. He has to physical, do not worry about fouls or missing… Read more »
This is your idea of comedy right? Has to be, there can be no other explanation.
Jeffries is the most invisible 4-star player in America.
It really amazes me as to how poor a shooting team this is. what happened to their strokes ? is it something mental ? i didn’t see the game but from prior stats, it doesn’t appear that VaTech is some elite team.
What a disgrace. He can’t coach and horrible recruiter. Even his assistants can’t recruit. If Heather allows this to continue, then she has to be addressed. This program has hit rock bottom.
Amazes you ? Capel’s teams have always been at the bottom of the ACC, in shooting %. The few he does recruit are mostly all the same type player, slasher/drivers with little to no outside shooting ability. Those that fit this type include, X Johnson, Toney, McGowen, Okudale, Jeffress, Drumgoole (who was/is a d2 type player) & Champagnie to an extent, & Burton. Only shooter he ever has got so far is Horton, who is a fringe ACC player, transfer from Delaware. So he’s recruited no top flight shooters and No true Point Guards in 4 years. It isn’t amazing… Read more »
6 comments from the same racist clown. Nice job by the site administrator.