PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – After an early 7-0 run to take the lead in the second half, the Panthers struggled for the rest in a 71-64 loss to Missouri Tuesday night in the ACC/SEC Challenge.
Pitt shot 25% in the second half, 34% for the game to drop to 5-2.
“We had some wide-open shots that we normally make,” said Pitt head coach Jeff Capel. “We missed them and it affected us. It’s the first time all year it’s really done that. It really affected how we locked in defensively. It’s a learning thing for us.”
Blake Hinson finished with a game-high 22 points, Bub Carrington 13 and Ishamel Leggett 10.
3-point issues
Hinson got Pitt back within four points with just over a minute left with a couple of late threes, but beyond the senior, the Panthers struggled from deep. Hinson was 5-8, the rest of the team was 2 of 17 from three.
Guards hounded
It didn’t take opposing teams long to make sure they put their best defenders and pay extra attention to Panthers freshman Bub Carrington. He ended up with this sixth game in double figures, but shot 4-14 from the floor, 1-7 from three. Carrington finished with seven rebounds and four assists.
Leggett was 1-8 shooting, 0-5 from three but made all eight free throws with seven rebounds.
“Just pressure them and make them make decisions,” said Tigers guard Sean East. “Disciplined pressure, we watched film on them and they kinda struggled with pressure. We wanted to bring our pressure we bring every day and see how they handled it.”
“They are a well-coached team and Dennis had his team ready to play,” Capel said. “We knew coming in their style is a little bit chaotic. It’s different and I thought they did a great job of executing.”
In the paint
With four players 6’10” or taller, the Tigers outscored Pitt 30-12 points in the paint. The Panthers just couldn’t attack the rim, finishing with only a dozen points inside. 7’5” Carter Vanover is a typical starter, but wasn’t playing well enough. Tigers head coach Dennis Gates challenged him to be better and demoted him to scout team over the last couple of practices.
“I told him I wasn’t going to play him and he accepted that,” Gates said. “He wasn’t afraid of the accountability that I had for him. I said if you are not going to give us what we need, I’m not going to play you.”
“He got the message. He didn’t bark. He didn’t fuss. He didn’t fight. He didn’t have a bad attitude. He gave his very best on the scout team and we saw a reflection of that in the game.”
The graduate student scored only six points, but seven rebounds, two blocks and several more altered shots.
Up Next
The start of ACC play with the Panthers hosting Clemson Sunday at 2p on 93.7 The Fan and the Pitt Panthers Radio Network.
“We have to get better,” Capel said. “We will have some time to prepare for Clemson. They are really good. I thought before the season, they would be one of the better teams in our league. I think they are a really good basketball team and I know they will be ready to play. They are a physical team, an older team and very good defensively.”
“We’ll be ready. We’ll be excited. We’ll be anxious. I anticipate us getting off the mat and playing well on Sunday.”