That Was Fast: Recapping Pitt’s 0-3 Start to ACC Play

PITTSBURGH — All of a sudden, Pitt has fallen to 0-3 in the ACC after a double-digit pounding by No. 8 North Carolina on Tuesday night.

With an average deficit of ten points in their three conference losses, the Panthers have not been able to close out close games against Clemson, Syracuse, and now North Carolina. Let’s dive into the main reasons for Pitt’s 0-3 start to ACC play.

SHOOTING PERFORMANCE VS. UNC WAS AN OUTLIER, BUT NOT A GOOD SIGN

In Pitt’s losses to Clemson and Syracuse, the Panthers actually shot the ball decently well — 43% (average for this team) and 42% (just below average), respectively. The Panthers also converted at a steady rate from three-point range, hitting 35% and 40% of their three pointers in those two games.

However, against North Carolina, Pitt struggled mightily to put the ball in the basket. Three players missed more than five threes each, as Blake Hinson went 2 for 11 from deep, Bub Carrington 2 for 8, and Guillermo Diaz-Graham 1 for 6. Things didn’t look too much better from the foul line, either, as Pitt went 10 for 15 from the stripe.

In his last three games, Hinson is now 9 for 38 from the field (24%) and 3 for 22 (14%) from three-point range.

Pittsburgh Panthers forward Blake Hinson (2) January 2, 2024 David Hague/PSN

CREDIT TO CLEMSON — MORE OF A TIGERS’ WIN

In the Clemson game, the Tigers made sure to not let Bub Carrington beat them. The freshman hit just five of his 16 attempts from the field in the loss to finish with 13 points. Hinson exploded for 27 in that one, and Leggett added 17. However, aside from those three, the rest of the team combined for just 13 points. While shooting percentage was not a big concern for Pitt in the game, the Tigers found a way to limit the Panthers’ bench and surrounding players, forcing Pitt’s “big three” to try to beat them practically alone.

COULDN’T TAKE CARE OF THE FUNDAMENTALS AGAINST ‘CUSE

Against the Orange, Pitt could not take care of the ball — nor could they take care of their free throws. The Panthers turned the ball over ten times in the first half alone, and still held on to an eight-point lead at the break. However, once Syracuse figured things out offensively and continued to wear down the Panthers, the Orange prevailed and pulled away with the victory. Quadir Copeland led the charge, scoring 22 points and shooting 15 (!!) free throws in the win.

Pitt finished the loss to Syracuse with a brutal 11 for 24 mark from the free-throw line, and also added five more turnovers in the second half to finish with 15 overall.

UPCOMING

Pittsburgh Panthers forward Guillermo Diaz Graham (25) January 2, 2024 David Hague/PSN

Now, Pitt faces a struggling Louisville team on the road on Saturday at noon. However, after that, a three-game stretch consisting of Duke twice and Syracuse once again awaits. Things are not going to get any easier for Pitt in January, and this young team will have to grow up quickly if it wants to build its NCAA Tournament resume.