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Five Things to Know Before No. 11 Pitt vs. No. 6 Iowa State in the NCAA Tournament

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GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Pitt Panthers return back to Greensboro for the First Round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament riding high after a First Four victory against Mississippi State on Tuesday. No. 11 Pitt is back at the site of the 2023 ACC Tournament, looking to capture unfinished business in a 6-11 matchup against No. 6 Iowa State. 

Here are five things to know ahead of the No. 11 Pitt’s tournament game against the No. 6 Iowa State Cyclones.

Hinson Faces Former Program

Blake Hinson spent parts of two seasons in the Iowa State program before transferring to Pitt. He played his first two seasons at Ole Miss before transferring to the Cyclones prior to the 2020-21 season. Hinson did not participate during his first year in the program due to a non-Covid-19-related medical issue and missed the 2021-22 campaign after leaving the team. He did not want to talk about his situation, did not have a reaction to seeing the Cyclones on the schedule, and “would rather not say” his reasoning behind departing. 

“I’m just ready to play my next game in March Madness, and I’m focused on winning,” Hinson said. “I love it here. This is my favorite location I’ve ever been. H2P.”

“Blake is a terrific young man, and he signed up to play for the coach prior to us,” Iowa State head coach T.J. Otzelberger said. “I think it’s something where he felt like it wasn’t the best fit for him, and I think both sides have done right with it.”

Jeff Capel did not address the past with Hinson and remains focused on the task at hand.

“For us, it’s Pitt against Iowa State. It’s not Blake against Iowa State or Iowa State against Blake,” Capel said. “They have an outstanding team.”

Federiko Day-to-Day

Federiko Federiko did not play Tuesday against Mississippi State with a knee injury. Capel described Federiko’s status as ‘day-to-day’ leading up to Friday’s Round of 64 game. “I think he’s doing ok… we will do what’s best for him long term,” Capel said. 

The Panthers were out-rebounded 49-28 and 18-6 on the offensive boards. Pitt did well forcing turnovers (14) and recorded seven steals in the one-point victory. Guillermo Diaz Graham stepped into the starting lineup, played 37 minutes, and recorded the biggest block of the season late in the game to help Pitt move on in Dayton. Stay tuned to Pittsburgh Sports Now for updates leading up to game time.

Lockdown Defense

Capel noted Iowa State’s defensive abilities, allowing 62.8 points per game. The Panthers average 75 points per game and may need to grind out a tight victory similar to the Mississippi win. 

“They are outstanding defensively,” Capel said. “They’re very physical. They’re very disciplined. They play with great energy. They’re unbelievably connected on that side of the basketball. You can tell that’s their identity and that’s what they hang their hat on.”

Pitt defeated the Cyclones 81-65 in 1981, the only other time these two teams have met, while Capel is 6-1 all-time against the Cyclones. 

“They rotate well. They defend the basketball well,” Capel said. “Their ball screen defense, their bigs are athletic. They’re energetic, just the physicality in which they play with. That’s what makes them one of the better defensive teams in the country.”

Spread, Over/Under

Pitt is 4.5 points underdogs in Friday’s latest odds, according to DraftKings Sportsbook

The Panthers are 21-10-1 ATS this year, according to Covers.com. Pitt is by far the ACC’s best team covering the spread and the second-best overall in the county. The Panthers are 2-3 overall in neutral site games. The Cyclones are 16-16 ATS.

The over/under for the game is set at 131.5 points. Pitt is +155 on the moneyline while Georgia Tech sits at -210. The Panthers are 21-13 in opportunities to hit the over. 

Broadcast, Radio Info

The No. 11 Pitt vs. No. 6 Iowa State matchup will air on truTV beginning at approximately 3:10 p.m. Ian Eagle, Jim Spanarkel, and Evan Washburn have the call from the Greensboro Coliseum. The game will also be broadcast live on sports radio 93.7 The Fan and Westwood One Radio.

The winner of Friday’s game will face the winner of No. 3 Xavier vs. No. 14 Kennesaw State on Sunday at a time yet to be announced.

Sandy Schall, Coldwell Banker
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TJ
TJ
1 year ago

kennesaw state looking like a difficult match-up for Xavier and Iowa State/Pitt. Fast guards and good bigs.

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