PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – At one time fourth in the ACC after sweeping Syracuse and beating Duke in January, the Panthers would lose 10 of their last 12 including 79-73 to Miami Tuesday in the first round of the ACC Tournament.
Ending what was once a promising season 10-12, the lowest win total since Kevin Stallings final season..
Hurricanes won for just the ninth time this year, shooting 43% FG, had a 22-6 edge in points off turnovers and shot 79% from the foul line. Panthers shot 42% from 3, but 36% from the foul line (5 of 14).
Panthers only had four players who scored in the game and six who took shots.
As it stands now, they will have all of their players returning but senior Terrell Brown. Of course that could change over the next few months.
“I wish we could have had a little more time with this group,” said Pitt head coach Jeff Capel. “I think we could have grown into something that could be pretty good.”
Justin Off
The first Panther to make first team All-ACC, sophomore Justin Champagnie struggled going 5-20 from the floor, 1-8 from 3 for 11 points and 10 rebounds.
“Justin missed some shots that he normally makes,” Capel said. “Just had an off day. It happens. It’s unfortunate that it happened today. It just happens.”
Femi career-high
Freshman guard Femi Odukale really came on as the season closed. The Brooklyn native with a career-high 28 points (11-16 FG), 6 rebounds and 3 assists Tuesday.
“Trying to win,” Odukale said of his game today. “Trying to find a way so we could keep playing. Today I just said I would do anything and I’m going to play my game.”
Odukale said he likely will get off the plane on Tuesday, go straight to a court and start shooting free throws. Odukale was 4-8 from the line Tuesday and finished 49% for the year.
“I know I have to stay in the gym,” Odukale said. “I have to make my free throws. I just have to knock them down so I can be a better player next year.”
Nike momentum
Nike Sibande finished with a Pitt career-high of 24 points just a few days after he said he would take advantage of the NCAA rule of a free year of eligibility this season to return to Pitt for the 2021-22 season.
Sibande had 24 points in 39 minutes with 6 rebounds and a pair of assists against Miami. He had 75 points in his last five games, all starts. He shot 54%, 75% and 60% from the floor in his last three.
Say thanks
Capel thanked all of the workers, the doctors, the trainers of all the programs for all of their tireless work to have a college basketball season during a pandemic.
“I’m really, really hopeful when this thing is finally over with, what I mean is the season,” Capel said. “I hope everyone that is involved. People in TV, people in media, thanks these kids. Thanks these student-athletes for allowing us to be able work this year. Thanks them for their commitment, their perseverance, their discipline. All of the things that enabled us to have a season.”
Academic Freshmen
Part of the top 25 freshman recruiting class, William Jeffress and Odukale recognized for their schoolwork. Both Panthers met at least the minimum requirement of a 3.0 grade point average for the previous semester and a 3.0 cumulative average during one’s academic career.
They become the 25th and 26th ACC Academic Team selections from the University of Pittsburgh.