Crisis averted, history achieved.
While it took more of an effort than it probably should have, Pitt bounced back from its loss at Virginia Tech to hold off a valiant effort from Georgia Tech, sank all but one of its free throws, and held for a 76-68 victory over the Yellow Jackets on Tuesday inside the Petersen Events Center.
The victory gives Pitt (20-8, 13-4 ACC) its first 20-win season in the Jeff Capel era and its first since the 2015-16 season, when it last reached the NCAA Tournament.
"It definitely means something, but we're in the grind right now, so we're focused on the next opportunity we're going to have," Midland, Pa., native Nelly Cummings said. "Yeah, the 20 wins are special, but we're not done."
Capel had finished under .500 in each of his four previous seasons at Pitt. It is the fourth time Capel has led a team to a season of 20 or more wins, and the first since he guided Oklahoma to 30 wins and an appearance in the Elite Eight during the 2008-'09 season.
"I think what this team has done all year has been really good and is something I certainly don't take for granted, we don't take for granted," Capel said. "But, like Nelly mentioned, we're in the moment right now, man, and it's hard to kind of reflect on those type of things right now because we know we have a heck of a game coming up on Saturday, our last home game in front of this crowd that's been unbelievable all year, especially the Zoo.
"We'll focus on that. Then we have two road games, one of which it's going to be that coach's last game there (Mike Brey at Notre Dame) that's going to be very emotional, and then one against one of the better teams in the country (at Miami). We have a lot of games left. We'll reflect on it when it's over with, but it's certainly something we don't take for granted."
Pitt earned win No. 20 with a near-perfect night at the free-throw line, led by No. 0 and No. 33. Cummings made all seven of his attempts from the stripe, and Federiko Federiko made all eight of his before fouling out with 1:26 remaining. Pitt made 19 of 20 from the line, the lone miss coming from Greg Elliott.
"Oh, yeah, we shot free throws in practice," Federiko said. "I shot free throws before the game. I was prepared."
Well stated!
Pitt was able to at least find some rhythm Tuesday, unlike what transpired in Saturday's loss. The Panthers shot 47% from the field and turned it over just seven times while outrebounding the Yellow Jackets, 34-24. Pitt especially clicked offensively in the second half, making 13 of 24 from the field and 5 of 13 from 3.
"It's huge, it's huge," Capel said. "Look, I don't take -- we don't take winning for granted. It's hard. It's hard. It's hard in this league. This league is better than the reputation that it has right now, and it's hard this time of month because February's the grind, and everyone's banged up, everyone's hurt, can't really practice as much right now. The games are coming at a quicker pace. To be able to get off the mat after losing at Virginia Tech, we haven't had that feeling in a while, and then to do it in this manner, I think, is good for us."
Appropriate response from the Virginia Tech game?
"Like coach said (in his opening statement), it was a gritty win," Cummings said. "I think we were tested a little bit, and that's what we needed today. We didn't need it to be a blowout win or anything like that. We had to dig deep and get the win."
Impressively, Georgia Tech did not turn the basketball over in the first half, and it finished with just four in the game.
"They've been good the last four games," Capel said. "They've really played at a high, high level. I thought their movement, their stuff is tough to guard. You really have to communicate and, again, I thought we had some breakdowns. We didn't have any pressure. They didn't feel us at all, and so that was something we talked about at halftime and wanted to make some adjustments with."
MORE FROM THE GAME
• Georgia Tech played without guard Deivon Smith, who is nursing an ankle injury. He is averaging 8.0 points and 5.6 rebounds per game and had a team-high 15 points and 11 rebounds in the meeting against Pitt Jan. 14 in Atlanta. Forward Cyril Martynov and guard Tristan Maxwell also did not play.
Issues compounded down the stretch for the Yellow Jackets (11-17, 3-14) and their backcourt. Lance Terry racked up four fouls in the first half and eventually fouled out, and Deebo Coleman played with three fouls.
"In college basketball it's a guard's game," Georgia Tech coach Josh Pastner said. "Really, at any level. ... It hurt us having Lance getting into foul trouble. I played him with three fouls in the first half. I'm not big on saving guys in foul trouble, and so I usually play guys. Not having (Terry) in his normal way hurt us this evening."
• Pastner made a remark of Pitt's collective age after the game, saying the Panthers' starting five is "older than the Oklahoma City Thunder starting five."
He added: "That goes a long way, especially in this league, being old. It makes a big difference. Their experienced, their veteran group made some key, timely shots when it obviously could've gone our direction. Credit to Pitt."
Pastner did not mean that as a slight to Pitt. He is actually correct.
Pitt's starting five, by age, adds up to 114 years: Cummings and Elliott each are 24 years old, Blake Hinson is 23, Jamarius Burton is 22, and Federiko is 21.
The NBA's Thunder starting five, by age, adds up to 108 years: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is 24 years old, Luguentz Dort is 23, Jalen Williams is 22, Josh Giddey is 20, and Jaylin Williams is 20.
We discussed how Pitt is an "older" team Monday, and how that experience can be a massive factor into this final stretch of the season.
"I hope so, I hope so," Capel said. "I'd like for them to be able to practice. They're acting like they're 10-year vets. We've got to change that."
Capel noted in his answer prior to this that Pitt has not "had a lot of bodies in practice" and assistant coaches and graduate assistants have stepped in for walkthroughs because players are banged up or were sick.
"We've had some slippage because we haven't been able to get out there and do some things," Capel said.
• Former Pitt football safety Damar Hamlin sat courtside for Tuesday's game and received a warm welcome home during a media timeout in the first half. The McKees Rocks native is recovering after suffering cardiac arrest on a tackle during his Buffalo Bills' game at Cincinnati Jan. 2:
It clearly touched him:
Pitt Athletics
Former Pitt football safety Damar Hamlin is recognized during a media timeout of Tuesday's basketball game against Georgia Tech at the Petersen Events Center.
He turned down interview requests at halftime.
THE HIGHLIGHTS
THE 5s
• Georgia Tech: G Lance Terry, G Kyle Sturdivant, G Deebo Coleman, G Miles Kelly, F Ja'Von Franklin.
• Pitt: G Nelly Cummings, G Greg Elliott, F Jamarius Burton, F Blake Hinson, C Federiko Federiko.
THE ESSENTIALS
• Boxscore
• Live file
• Scores
• Schedule
• Standings
• Statistics
THE INJURIES
• Out for the season: F Will Jeffress (foot), F John Hugley IV (personal).
THE SCHEDULE
• Syracuse visits Oakland for a 5 p.m. tipoff Saturday in what will be the final home game of the regular season. Pitt announced a sold-out Petersen Events Center for the home finale.
Pitt's remaining regular-season schedule reads as follows: Saturday vs. Syracuse, 5 p.m.; March 1 at Notre Dame, 7 p.m.; March 4 at Miami, 6 p.m.
THE CONTENT
• Visit the Pitt team page for more coverage from the Petersen Events Center. You can listen to the latest episode of the H2P Podcast below.
