PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – In his first college game and for only the fifth time in program history, Bub Carrington finished with a triple double in a 100-52 Panthers win over North Carolina A&T. Carrington played 29 minutes with 18 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.
Only three players in the program’s history previously had a triple-double (Ricardo Greer ‘98, Darrelle Porter ’91 and Keith Starr-twice ’74 and ‘75).
“I was really pleased and impressed with how he just let the game come to him,” said Pitt head coach Jeff Capel. “He didn’t hunt stuff. I’m looking at the stat sheet at halftime and he has seven(points), seven(rebounds) and five(assists) and I’m thinking I don’t remember him getting that many rebounds. Even in the second half, he didn’t go hunting, like I’m trying to get a triple-double. He just played the game. He has a really good feel and instinct for playing.”
Capel took Carrington out with 4:50 to play in the game, an assist shy of a triple-double. Carrington said Capel quickly told him he would be going back in the game. The freshman said he didn’t realize he had enough rebounds to qualify.
He would get that assist on a made three from Guillermo Diaz Graham that hit front iron, off the backboard and in.
“I was at half court and I was like, ‘no, no, yes!’,” Carrington explained. “Then the whole team got hyped with me and it was definitely a great moment.”
“He continues to play the game the right way and that’s important for that lead guard position,” Capel said. “I was really impressed with how cognizant of being close to a triple-double and how excited they(team) were that he was able to get it.”
“It was mainly the fact the coaches trusted me enough to make the right ways,” Carrington said of why he’s had a quick start. “No one walks into a starting job, I feel like I proved myself in practice working hard, listening to coaches and what they tell me. I trust myself to make the right plays as well.”
“I was a freshman last year, I’m telling you what he is doing is impressive to me,” said Jorge Diaz Graham. “The way he stepped up and coming in freshman year and be the starter and the point guard. It’s like the quarterback, you have to do everything. I’m so proud of him.”
Great start
Blake Hinson made the first shot of the game, a three-pointer, as confetti fell from a packed Oakland Zoo. Panthers would start the game on a 9-0 run and finish the first half on a 15-1 run, in case there was any doubt against the MEAC foe. Pitt showed off it’s athleticism with four alley-oop dunks in the first half with Jorge Diaz Graham finishing with 12 points for the half, 14 for the game.
“It was great to be out there, especially to be in front of our students,” Capel said. “They were incredible. I walked out of the tunnel and saw both end zones filled and right behind the benches. To feel their energy right away, it was really cool to be back and have a continuation with how we finished the season.”
“I want to thank the Zoo,” Carrington said. “They were incredible today. It was an incredible experience.”
Stats
· Federiko Federiko 13 points and 10 rebounds
· Blake Hinson 13 points and 8 rebounds
· Ishmael Leggett 11 points and 5 rebounds
· Every Panther in the game scored
· Pitt shot 56% FG to 27% for NC A&T
· Pitt shot 41% from 3
Pitt was a plus 30 in rebounds
Starting lineup
F, Sr, Blake Hinson
C, Jr, Federiko Federiko
F, Jr, Zach Austin
G, Fr, Carlton Carrington
G, Jr, Ishmael Leggett
Season 1st
· 1st points-Blake Hinson 3
· 1st assist-Carlton Carrington—actually had first four assists
· 1st rebound-Carlton Carrington
· 1st block-Zach Austin
· 1st steal-Guillermo Diaz Graham
· 1st dunk-Federiko Federiko
Up Next
Hosting Binghamton from the America East Conference Friday at 7p.