PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – A double-double debut as the Panthers basketball opened its season with a 80-58 win over Tennessee-Martin at the Petersen Events Center.
Junior transfer forward Blake Hinson played in his first game since March 11, 2020. He not only played with an infectious energy, a few times playing to the Oakland Zoo, but produced with 27 points (four, three pointers) and 13 rebounds. The 6'7", 235-pound Hinson started his career at Ole Miss playing two seasons before transferring to Iowa State where he spent two years but didn't play.
It's a Pitt team with nine new players and Tennessee-Martin is a mid-major favorite with seven first-place votes in the Ohio Valley Conference. Hinson was not the only one to contribute.
· Point guard Nelly Cummings, the graduate student from Midland, dropped eight points with seven assists and two steals.
· Graduate transfer guard Greg Elliott ended with three, three-pointers.
The four-year Marquette guard scored 11 points.
· Sophomore center Federiko Federiko, from the First Love Academy in Washington County, scored on a couple of alley-oops finishing six of seven from the floor for 13 points, seven rebounds and three blocks. "I thought Federiko's energy defensively to start the game-his talk, ball-screen coverages, rotations, protecting the basket, it became contagious for everyone out there," said Pitt Head Coach Jeff Capel.
· The only returner in the starting lineup Monday, Jamarius Burton 10 points, seven assists, five rebounds.
· Freshman 7-footer Guillermo Diaz Graham played his first college game with eight rebounds and four points. His twin brother Jorge had a pair of blocks and a steal. "For those two guys to come and this be their first college basketball game, the first thing is the unbelievable energy and joy they play with," Capel said. "They bring it every day. I felt it when they took their official visit."
· Nike Sibande returned from his ACL tear suffered against Clarion in an exhibition game last year to score six points and grab six rebounds. "I know all the work that's gone in to geting back," Capel said. "It's been some tough days, some dark days. He has an incredible support system with his family. Nike's done a great job."
Tenn-Martin Head Coach Ryan Ridder said it was a completely different Panthers team from the last couple of years. He said Pitt has improved its guard play and were 'the mentally, physically tougher team for 40 minutes'.
For the game the Panthers were a plus 10 in rebounding, a plus two in turnovers, plus 14 in assists and hit eight more three pointers, attempting 41 for the game as Capel said they will shoot the basketball more this year.
"I thought we played with incredible energy (on the defensive end)," Capel said. "I was probably most proud of that. Even though we weren't making shots, we didn't allow that to affect our defense. In fact, I think we got more energized on that side of the floor."
"I thought Federiko's energy defensively to start the game-his talk, ball-screen coverages, rotations, protecting the basket. It became contagious for everyone out there."
The competition jumps dramatically Friday night as the Panthers host West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl with coverage starting at 6:30p on 93.7 The Fan.
John Hugley is a big question mark for that game. The Panthers leading scorer and rebounder last year has been cleared to resume 'on the court stuff' on Tuesday after not playing Monday.
"John has not done anything for six weeks," Capel said. "We will see how he responds after workouts and then getting him in game shape. Those will be the two biggest issues."
Not ruled out for the Mountaineers game, but seems like Hugley would need a near miraculous recovery to make an impact Friday night.
Forward William Jeffress is out of his walking boot and off crutches, but the junior is not cleared to practice yet.
Notes
· Former Pitt player Parker Stewart ejected after getting tangled up with Hinson early in the second half
· Panthers wore warmups with 'Vote' written on the front followed by an announcement encouraging all to do their civic duty and vote on Tuesday
· Before Pitt hosts West Virginia Friday night at 7p, 7th ranked Pitt volleyball hosts Syracuse at the Fitzgerald Field House at 5p.
