This is quite an interesting match-up tonight...

[thekimmer]

A team with a bad offense and a good defense against a team with a bad defense and good offense.

It will likely come down to our ability to defend the 3 vs their ability to keep us out of the paint.

 

[patdog]

It's strength vs strength and weakness vs weakness. Pitt isn't quite as extreme on either end of the court as we are, but it'll be an interesting matchup. Could easily go either way. I think we've got to hit some 3s to win this one.

 

[She Mate Me]

It's kinda the same story with us. We're going to have plenty of open looks. They will focus on Tolu.

If we hit shots at a reasonable rate, we should get this one. That's far from a sure thing.

 

[mstateglfr]

Tolu hit 90% of his FTs against Bama. He clearly has it all figured out now. Feed the big man and win it from the line!***

 

[Lawdawg.sixpack]

Blake Hinson plays for Pitt. You may remember him from his year (or 2?) in Oxford.

Pitt’s center is named Federiko Federiko. He’s a gametime decision due to knee injury.

 

[Maroon Eagle]

Blake Hinson plays for Pitt. You may remember him from his year (or 2?) in Oxford.

Pitt’s center is named Federiko Federiko. He’s a gametime decision due to knee injury.

I guess we better be prepared…

 

[DawgatAuburn]

It's strength vs strength and weakness vs weakness. Pitt isn't quite as extreme on either end of the court as we are, but it'll be an interesting matchup. Could easily go either way. I think we've got to hit some 3s to win this one.

I looked at their game log yesterday. They have I think 15 games of double digit threes made. Our season high for a game was 9 against Utah. We can win with only a few made threes, but we won't win if we give up a lot more than 10 of them.

 

[TXDawg.sixpack]

Hinson played two seasons at UMiss then transferred to Iowa State where he "did not participate" for two seasons. He's currently Pitt's leading scorer (15.6 ppg) and rebounder (6.2 rpg) plus he leads the team with 91 3's for the season. He's listed as a 6'-7" forward so I'm guessing Cam and DJ will be tasked with shutting him down. I feel confident that Tolu can handle their big. The key will be limiting Hinson.

 

[mstateglfr]

then transferred to Iowa State where he "did not participate" for two seasons.

Yeah, he had some medical stuff. The first year he couldnt play, and then the second year he quit the team a few weeks before the season started.

 

[MSUDC11-2.0]

We’ve gotta make some shots or we will be done in this tournament quickly. Not saying we’ve gotta have a 2004 Xavier type performance, but we haven’t even shot 25% from three since the Mizzou game (where we shot exactly 25%). We were 3-27 from three in the SEC Tournament. You can’t shoot 11% from deep and beat anybody with a pulse. We’re gonna need 4 to 6 made threes tonight, in my opinion.

 

[DoggieDaddy13]

It's strength vs strength and weakness vs weakness. Pitt isn't quite as extreme on either end of the court as we are, but it'll be an interesting matchup. Could easily go either way. I think we've got to hit some 3s to win this one.

Let's hope not.

 

[mstateglfr]

Federiko Federiko is a game time decision for Pitt. He would be tasked with defending Tolu. Their D may be really weak in the paint without him.


Also funny-

Pitt notebook: Fede Federiko a game-time decision as Panthers lock in on defense

DAYTON, Ohio — As Pitt basketball prepared at University of Dayton Arena on Monday evening for the Panthers’ 9:10 p.m. Tuesday NCAA tournament...

www.post-gazette.com

Capel noted that one struggle Pitt faces in practice is that it cannot simulate Mississippi State’s size. In addition to Smith, the Bulldogs use 6-foot-7 senior forward D.J. Matthews a lot and will try to win by scoring inside. That will have to be something the Panthers adjust to as the game is played.

DJ Matthews, huh? I hesitate to predict what that would look like as a player profile.

 

[Cantdoitsal]

I think we win tonight by being taller and controlling the boards. And I think we'll get our fair share of F/T's from the paint.

 

[DAWGSANDSAINTS]

They going to jack up about 25 3’s tonight.
Hopefully they’ll be a lot off!!

 

[Xenomorph]

A team with a bad offense and a good defense against a team with a bad defense and good offense.

At first I thought you were taking about the baseball game tonight.

 

[The Peeper]

Blake Hinson plays for Pitt. You may remember him from his year (or 2?) in Oxford.

Pitt’s center is named Federiko Federiko. He’s a gametime decision due to knee injury.

Their point guard is Uhtred, Son of Uhtred. Misses a lot of games, out on raids and pillaging......

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

We just need to establish making our points in the paint. When we do that everything else lines up fine, especially when we're driving to the goal.

 

[goodknight]

We just need to establish making our points in the paint. When we do that everything else lines up fine, especially when we're driving to the goal.

Just have to shoot 45-50% and I think we win

 

[kired]

My worry is it’s easier to get hyped to play more intense defense than it is to suddenly become a better offensive team. But is postseason, let’s go!