Pitt's lack of physicality inside a weakness in defeat to Clemson taken at Petersen Events Center (Pitt)

Pitt Athletics

Pitt's Blake Hinson goes up to the rim during Saturday's game against Clemson at the Petersen Events Center.

Pitt

Pitt's lack of physicality inside a weakness in defeat to Clemson

Jan 7, 2023 • 8:05 pm

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There is still another level for a rising Pitt team to achieve.

As evidenced by Saturday's 75-74 defeat to Clemson at the Petersen Events Center, the Panthers ceded down the stretch by making just six field goals in the game's final 11 minutes, which turned out to be an overarching trend throughout the battle for first place in the ACC.

That mantle goes to Clemson, for now, as many of the inflictions upon the Panthers came from their own play, rather than Clemson sticking it to them on each end of the floor.

Except, maybe, in one facet.

Despite Jamarius Burton's 28 points Pitt could not overcome a lack of a presence in the paint and Clemson's willingness to attack it. The Tigers hammered the Panthers for a 20-4 advantage inside during the first half and a 34-14 advantage for the game, while Pitt struggled to do what it does best in shooting the 3. Pitt made 11 of 29 from beyond the arc for the game, and that included a 6-for-16 mark in the first 20 minutes.

"The very first thing is that they're a good team," Jeff Capel said after the game. "That's the very first thing. They have size, they're very, very physical. It was a really physical game throughout. I thought we were able to get to the paint and get some baskets but for us, defensively, at the end, they were able to get to some spots.

"Look, they made some tough shots. We were right there contesting the shots, and you give them credit, you tip your hat. Like I said, when it's two good teams and it's a battle like this, sometimes it comes down to players stepping up and making plays, and I was proud that we weren't afraid of the moment. We just didn't make some shots."

It could be about missing the presence of John Hugley IV (personal reasons) more than ever and having it compounded as Federiko Federiko, Blake Hinson, and Guillermo Diaz Graham reached early foul trouble and forced a smaller lineup to be deployed in spots. Hinson (14 points) fouled out with 9 seconds left in the game, while Federiko and Diaz Graham had four and Nelly Cummings three to end the game.

"It definitely affects us with our rhythm and flow, but when those instances happen where guys are in foul trouble, you know it's 'next man up,'" Burton said. "We had some good contributions off the bench to help us."

More compounded for Pitt down the stretch, as it made 6 of 15 from the field in the game's final 10:38, and that included making 2 of 7 3-pointers. Nike Sibande buried a corner triple with 0.9 seconds to go to bring the score to 75-74 in favor of Clemson, but Pitt could not get a foul off in time off of the ensuing inbound.

Much like it had to do in its upsets over North Carolina and Virginia, credit deserves to go to Pitt (11-5, 4-1 ACC) for battling back from a sizable deficit. Clemson (13-3, 5-0) opened a 10-point lead at 27-17 with 7:16 left in the first half, and the Panthers thundered back for a 40-38 lead at half on Nate Santos' buzzer-beating jumper.

Pitt lost for the first time since its one-point defeat at Vanderbilt on Dec. 7. Each game came down to the final possession and converted free throws towards the game's end by the opposition.

"It just shows that we're going to fight to the very end," Burton said. "The last two instances where we lost we just didn't make enough winning plays to pull it out, so that's really the difference."

There is no indication of when Hugley could potentially come back to the rotation, but down the stretch of the soon-to-begin second half of Pitt's schedule, it has become clear that a stronger presence is needed in the frontcourt and away from the loaded room of guards which Pitt boasts.

Even through a stretch in which Pitt had to contend with Syracuse's Jesse Edwards and North Carolina's Armando Bacot, the foul trouble and the defense being out of sorts ultimately showed a crack in Pitt's otherwise fortified armor it has sported through this stretch of ACC foes.

"This was a big-time game and we were very fortunate to be a part of it," Capel said. "I'm really proud of my team. I thought we fought and put ourselves in a position to win. We didn't get off to a great start, but we fought throughout, had the lead at halftime. I thought some of the guys that came in off the bench were magnificent, really gave us a boost and played some really good minutes.

"We had an eight-point lead with 5-and-a-half minutes, and we weren't able to make some shots down the stretch. I thought we got good looks. They made some tough ones. They banked in a shot over tough defense, we played good defense and they get an offensive rebound and a guy that hadn't scored in conference play makes a shot, and that's the difference in the game. In these games like this when you have two good teams and it's a tight battle it just comes down to who can make a few more plays. Unfortunately, they did.

"Really proud of my team, really proud of our group. This will help us as we move forward and look forward to the next one."

MORE FROM THE GAME

• Santos was a bright spot for Pitt off the bench, especially through his seven minutes played in the second half. Though he shot just 1-for-5 from the field -- the lone make was off of the worst look he had -- he still provided five rebounds and was a team-high plus-15 in his 12 total minutes.

Santos did not play against North Carolina or Syracuse, and he logged just two minutes of action on Tuesday against Virginia.

"It was big, the minutes that we got from Nate," Burton said. "He's out there battling for us, and with him, regardless if he makes or misses it's me and the other guys' job to continue to give him confidence, and that's all you saw right there was us continuing to put the battery in his back and tell him that the next shot was going in, and we did that."

• The tributes, well wishes, and support continued to pour in from Pitt for former football safety Damar Hamlin, who has made strides in his recovery from his suffering of cardiac arrest on Monday.

Pitt fans were invited to sign a banner which read "Pray for Damar" and was later hung off of the rails behind the middle of the Oakland Zoo.

Corey Crisan / DKPS

A "Pray for Damar" banner was offered for fans to sign before Saturday's game at the Petersen Events Center.

• Many of Pitt's football coaches and 2023 signees were in attendance during Saturday's game. Head coach Pat Narduzzi, offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr., wide receivers coach Tiquan Underwood, running backs and special teams coordinator Andre Powell, defensive line coach Charlie Partridge, and defensive coordinator Randy Bates were among coaches in attendance.

Also present at The Pete were the present and perhaps the future of the Pitt quarterback room: Boston College transfer and Pine-Richland graduate Phil Jurkovec and 2023 three-star signee Ty Dieffenbach. Narduzzi was welcomed with an ovation and "Duzz" chants from the Oakland Zoo as he made his way into the arena.