Pitt will try to get back together and play more like the squad it was for the most of the first half of its previous game on Friday in New York as part of the NIT Season Tip-Off third-place game. In the consolation game, Oregon State (3-2) takes against the Panthers (4-1). On Wednesday, Pitt lost 86-71 to Florida in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, and the Beavers dropped 88-72 to No. 13 Baylor. Since the Portland, Oregon, Far West Classic in 1981, Pitt and Oregon State have not met. In their three previous meetings, the Beavers prevailed against the Panthers.
The Panthers started the new season with a four-game homestand sweep, but on Wednesday, they played their first road game of the year at Barclays Center, where their recent run of bad luck continued. Pitt lost for the fourth time in a row at the Brooklyn venue after failing to build on its quick start against Florida. The team fell behind late in the first half. The Panthers are now 4-7 all-time at that venue after giving up 47 points in the second half.
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pitt coach Jeff Capel stated, “I thought that sped us up, especially offensively.” This is the first time that the team has faced this level of size and physicality all over the floor. “I thought it sped us up and I thought it frustrated us a little bit.”
With rookie guard Carlton Carrington and senior forward Blake Hinson, the Panthers do have a strong duo. With 19.6 points per game on average, Hinson is tied for second place in the Atlantic Coast Conference. In the meantime, Carrington, who has won ACC Rookie of the Week twice before, scored 14 points in the Gators’ victory.
Conversely, the Beavers boast a strong sophomore class, as three players, KC Ibekwe (5.8), Tyler Bilodeau (13.8), and Jordan Pope (19.0 points per game), rank among the top 14 sophomore scorers in the Pac-12.
Against the Bears, four Oregon State players scored in double digits, with Dexter Akanno leading the way with 16 points. On Wednesday, Oregon State scored 46 points in the second half while shooting 63 percent (17-for-27). The Beavers shot only 34.6 percent (9-for-26) and were behind 44–26 at the half.
Oregon State coach Wayne Tinkle stated, “I thought early, we ran some good sets, passed up shots that ended up in either late clock, jack-’em-up (shots), or turnovers.” “But give them the credit they deserve. Then, in the second half, our guys spread the floor, played with a bit more purpose, and scored more frequently.”
This season, Oregon State’s defense has held opponents to 38% shooting in the first half of games.
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