Pitt has simply three convention losses on February tenth and considered one of them got here to the Floirda State Seminoles in January. It got here as a little bit of a shock, because the Seminoles haven’t had an excellent season, however but they continue to be a harmful group. This isn’t almost considered one of Leonard Hamilton’s higher groups, however there may be nonetheless simply sufficient size and athleticism to scare you.
In that recreation at residence, Pitt fell down early and went into the half down 10. That deficit proved to be simply an excessive amount of to beat. The ultimate ended up being 71-64 in favor of Florida State. Their size gave Pitt’s perimeter assault hassle, as they shot simply 7-28 from three-point vary and had considered one of their worst exterior taking pictures performances of the season. For a group that depends on it a lot and usually does it so nicely, it disrupted the stream of the offense and finally sunk them.
Florida State ended up taking pictures 10-20 from, despite the fact that they’re 34% as a group on the season. That single space was principally the distinction within the recreation. Now Pitt will get their probability and can play the primary group this season by which they’re attempting to separate the sequence. General, Florida State is now 8-17 general and 6-8 in convention play. The all-time sequence has really been dominated by Pitt to the tune of 15-7, though Florida State has now gained three of the final 4. With Pitt principally half a recreation out of first place, they face a frightening street problem now to maintain tempo, the place they’ve been good all season.
Let us take a look at how the matchups break down.
Caleb Mills vs. Nelly Cummings
At the same time as an skilled participant, this will likely be a really powerful matchup for Cummings. Caleb Mills can also be skilled and the 6’3″ junior brings loads of measurement and athleticism to the purpose guard spot. On the season, he’s averaging 12.6 factors, 2.8 rebounds, and three.6 assists. He additionally grabs 1.5 steals per recreation. All of this supported by an inconsistent 40% from the ground and 31% from three. With 26 made threes on the season, he’s principally one make per recreation. His recreation is utilizing an explosive first step to make the most of his size benefit on most level guards. In opposition to Pitt final time, Mills had a really strong stat line of 11 factors, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. Nelly was not good on this matchup, as he scored 7 factors however shot simply 1-8 from three. When Nelly is making pictures, the Panthers are only a fully completely different group with unimaginable vitality. For Pitt to really feel higher about this matchup the second time round, Nelly has to shoot the ball higher. This matchup is a really shut one that would go both manner. Mills has the size and talent set to disrupt Nelly’s recreation, however I’d be shocked if he does not reply and play higher this time round.
Benefit: Even
Darin Inexperienced Jr. vs. Jamarius Burton
Inexperienced is a 6’4″ junior guard who could be very harmful. Of all of the Seminoles within the final matchup, he performed the most effective in opposition to the Panthers. His 24 factors and 4 assists contributed in a giant solution to the win. On the season, he’s second on the group in factors with 14.1 per. The taking pictures numbers are okay from the ground (41%), however actually good from three (40%). He’s the Seminoles’ finest exterior shooter based mostly on each accuracy and quantity. Inexperienced has made 77 threes on the season, almost half of the group’s whole. When he’s on, he’s one essentially the most harmful shooters within the nation. When he’s off, it’s principally the other. Within the three video games previous Syracuse, Inexperienced was 10-17 from deep. Final day trip in opposition to the Orange, Inexperienced shot 17 threes and made simply 5. He has one other recreation this yr the place he went 1-10 from three in opposition to Miami. Pitt caught the recent hand final time, as he was 5-8 from exterior. Already this season, Inexperienced has tried double digit three level makes an attempt a exceptional 5 instances. He isn’t shy and positively has the inexperienced mild. Jamarius Burton was actually good in opposition to the Seminoles final day trip with 20 factors, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists. They’ll want him and Cummings to paved the way on the street as soon as once more.
Benefit: Pitt
Jalen Warley vs. Greg Elliott
Warley is a 6’6″ sophomore that has been a secondary assist participant on the wing. He’s averaging simply 6 factors per recreation, and he contributed simply 4 factors and a pair of assists within the final matchup. Warley is proficient and has pure talent, evidenced by his 3.5 assists per recreation. That quantity is sweet for second on the group and he’s able to creating offense for others. With that being stated, his manufacturing has not come anyplace close to the scale and talent set potential. Greg Elliott was simply high-quality on this final matchup, which is generally ok however not with Cummings additionally struggling. Greg scored 9 factors on 2-6 from deep. With the emergence of Nike Sibande late within the season, Greg has adjusted to a little bit of a brand new function. His selfless character has made it a seamless transition, however he’s nonetheless harmful when he can get it teed up. Elliott has extra potential right here, however it’s a very shut and comparable matchup.
Benefit: Pitt
Matthew Cleveland vs. Blake Hinson
Cleveland leads the Seminoles in scoring (14.4) and rebounding (7.8). The 6’7″ sophomore ahead is athletic and wired for manufacturing, falling in step with a few of Leonard Hamilton’s dominating and versatile forwards. Inexperienced did a lot of the harm, however Cleveland was proper there with Mills in opposition to Pitt in making back-breaking performs. He added 11 factors, 8 rebounds, and three assists in a little bit of a quiet recreation. It was virtually proper on his common, as Cleveland could also be Florida State’s most constant participant. In most seasons, Cleveland would most likely be on the wing in Hamilton’s system however the roster isn’t as large as regular. Nonetheless, Cleveland is a matchup downside at both ahead place. He has reached double figures in his final 18 consecutive video games, together with one triple double. Blake Hinson had a pleasant recreation in opposition to the Seminoles final time with 16 factors and 9 rebounds. It is a excessive stage matchup between two excellent gamers. Cleveland is extra versatile and a greater throughout participant, however Hinson is a extra harmful scorer.
Benefit: Even
Cameron Corhen vs. Federiko Federiko
Corhen is tiny in comparison with most facilities that Hamilton has run out by way of the years. The 6’10” freshman remains to be very lengthy, comparatively talking, however there may be not the depth of a number of 7 footers that we now have seen from this program. On the yr, Corhen is averaging 8.3 factors and three.3 rebounds. In opposition to Pitt, he contributed simply 4 factors and three rebounds in 25 minutes. Since that recreation, Cameron put collectively two large 16-point video games, however then failed to attain final day trip in opposition to Syracuse. Federiko has been steadily progressing all season lengthy. Earlies within the season, he was principally only a lengthy physique that would alter pictures and run the ground. Now in February, he has developed to the purpose the place he’s catching powerful passes off of rolls and ending across the rim. He is among the finest rim runners within the league, and his scoring has actually come on of late. The subsequent problem will likely be to enhance within the rebounding space, however he’s nonetheless forward of schedule. In a matchup the place you’ll at all times be challenged with measurement, I feel Federiko really offers Pitt an edge right here.
Benefit: Pitt
Bench
The bench was a giant issue on this recreation final time, with Florida State getting 17 factors whereas Pitt’s bench struggled mightily. 6’5″ freshman Chandler Jackson led the best way with a shocking 8 factors, as he solely averages simply 2.9 factors per recreation on the season. 7’4″ sophomore Naheem McLeod is the everyday Leonard Hamilton heart prospect, however he’s nonetheless working off of the bench for now. On the season, he averages 4.7 factors and three rebounds however remains to be very uncooked. 6’11” freshman Baba Miller is the opposite key reserve. He had excessive expectations getting into the yr and bought a late begin. It appeared as if Miller was approaching and about to make an impression after he scored 11 factors in opposition to Clemson. Nevertheless, he has scored simply 2 whole factors within the final three video games. Nike Sibande scored simply 4 factors final time and in addition struggled from deep. Pitt’s tremendous sub has been dominant since, and he’s primarily a distinct participant at this level. Florida State will seemingly use extra gamers off of its bench, however the Diaz Graham twins are rising and Nike Sibande is the most effective reserve within the matchup.
Benefit: Pitt
Leonard Hamilton vs. Jeff Capel
Leonard Hamilton has little doubt been an emblem of consistency all through his profession. He has had two completely different profitable and lengthy stints at completely different high-major colleges in numerous conferences. Florida State has been one of the constant and harmful groups within the ACC just lately, and this might represent a down yr for this system. Whereas they have been definitely due for a down season, I am undecided the expertise on this roster ought to have the group in a greater place proper now. It’s definitely not an ideal group, however he has three high quality and skilled gamers within the beginning lineup which can be fairly proficient. There is no such thing as a query that Jeff Capel is squeezing each ounce of expertise out of his roster and getting essentially the most from them. General large image, Capel can solely hope to succeed in the win totals that Hamilton has, however there is no such thing as a query that Capel is doing a significantly better job along with his group this season.
Benefit: Pitt
