GREENSBORO, N.C. — Pitt basketball is again on the nationwide stage.

Earlier this week, Pitt received the largest recreation of the Jeff Capel-era, triumphantly prevailing over a tricky Mississippi State squad within the First 4 for its first NCAA Match win since 2014.

Now, Pitt has the chance to actually shock the nation. The Panthers — who had been picked to complete 14th within the ACC earlier than the season — face 6-seed Iowa State on Friday, as soon as once more in Greensboro, the place they performed twice simply final week within the ACC Match.

“It feels good,” Nelly Cummings instructed PSN about being again in Greensboro. “I believe we’re all actually targeted, locked in on our project. We all know that job in entrance of us is admittedly large. We’re all actually prepared for that.”

Pitt’s season has included a suspension to its high prospect, quite a few accidents, gamers leaving the crew, nice wins, and dangerous losses. Regardless of all the pieces that has occurred since recreation one, this group of Panthers is now formally within the dance with an opportunity to make this run much more particular on Friday. Iowa State and main scorers Jaren Holmes and Gabe Kalsheur stand in the best way of Pitt’s magical run, however the Panthers have solely been targeted on themselves in preparation for the large recreation.”

“Simply be Pitt,” Blake Hinson mentioned on Thursday. “We simply be Pitt, we’re ok to beat any crew at anyplace, any time. We simply be us, and we may be profitable.”

The story of this Pitt basketball crew has been a particular one. Led by veterans gathered from the switch portal, this group has developed a form of chemistry that the Pitt program has not seen because the Jamie Dixon period. The Panthers are bonded by the pursuit of profitable, and have been utilizing that motivation to win every day to proceed their magical run this March.

“I’m simply unbelievably proud, man, to be on this journey with them,” Jeff Capel mentioned after the crew’s win over Mississippi State. “I don’t need it to finish.”

Pitt and Iowa State will tip off at 3:10 p.m. on Tru TV.

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**Norwin 2024 3-star athlete Jackson Pons made an unofficial go to on Thursday to Toledo. At present, Pons (6’2″, 185-pounds) holds provides from Toledo, Bowling Inexperienced, Central Michigan, Jap Michigan, Kent State, Miami (OH), Ohio U., Mississippi State and Penn.

Thanks for having me again on campus for spring follow yesterday! @ToledoFB#ONErocket 🚀🟨⬜️@RickyCiccone@CoachRossWatson@CoachCandle@CoachMBrown1 pic.twitter.com/yENa8dmitv

— Jackson Pons (@jackson_pons) March 17, 2023

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**Kaydon Degraffenreid is a 2024 linebacker from Lake Orion, Michigan. He’s nonetheless ready for his first D-1 provide.

I will likely be on the college of Pittsburgh on March 18th🟡🔵 pic.twitter.com/xhrvzQQj2q

— Kaydon “KD” Degraffenreid (@KaydonDegraffe1) February 19, 2023

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**In accordance with The Portal Report, Duquesne has reached out to Buffalo switch Yazid Powell. The 6’4″ guard averaged 13.0 factors, 4.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.9 assists this season. Per the Portal Report, Powell has additionally been contacted by St. Bonaventure, Indiana State, TCU, Loyola Chicago, San Diego, LaSalle, SMU, Vermont, UNLV, Rhode Island, Ball State, Fresno State, Weber State, Oregon State and Arkansas.

Duquesne Contacts St. Francis Switch Guard Landon Moore and Pitt Switch John Hugley

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Panthers are again in Greensboro. Pitt returns to North Carolina one week after the ACC Event contained in the Greensboro Coliseum and superior to the Quarterfinals earlier than dropping to Duke. This time Iowa State and the NCAA Event await, recent off of a one-point, First 4 victory towards Mississippi State (60-59) to clinch a spot within the Spherical of 64.

“Excited to be again in Greensboro,” head coach Jeff Capel stated. “Excited to be a part of the Massive Dance. It’s been a heck of per week for us already after a extremely emotional and hard-fought sport in Dayton towards a very good Mississippi State crew, and we’re excited to play towards an excellent Iowa State crew.”

Capel addressed Federiko Federiko’s standing as day-to-day with a knee harm after lacking the Mississippi State win. Federiko didn’t gown for apply Thursday however took gentle pictures.

Jeff Capel described Federiko as day-to-day. He’s in sweats at apply immediately however taking some gentle pictures. pic.twitter.com/K5WsndsBJO

— Austin Bechtold (@AustinRBechtold) March 16, 2023

The Cyclones haven’t performed since March 10, falling to Kansas by 13 factors within the Massive 12 Event. Pitt, alternatively, seems to construct momentum after securing one of many program’s largest wins in latest historical past. The expertise might additionally create a way of calmness for the Panthers in comparison with different groups not experiencing the setting and ambiance of March Insanity. 

Hopefully it would,” Capel stated. “We have now a sport below our belt already, so hopefully the nerves might be out. Clearly, for a few of our guys, it was their first time. Even for the fellows which have been right here, except for Nelly, this was their first-time form of perhaps in a lead function within the NCAA event. Even when you’ve got been right here, even when you’ve got performed in it, whenever you get on the market for the primary time in one other season, it’s anxious. You’re anxious.

Courtesy Pitt Basketball

“We have now that below our belt. Hopefully, we will nonetheless have the identical pleasure. I do know we’ll have that, however we will settle in a bit of bit faster.”

In preparation for Iowa State, Capel pointed to their efforts on the defensive finish. The Cyclones enable solely 62.8 factors per sport whereas the Panthers common over 75 factors every time on the ground. 

“They’re excellent defensively,” Capel stated. “They’re very bodily. They’re very disciplined. They play with nice vitality. They’re unbelievably linked on that aspect of the basketball. You possibly can inform that’s their identification and that’s what they dangle their hat on.”

The assembly marks the second time Pitt and Iowa State face off – Pitt gained 81-65 in 1981 – whereas Capel is 6-1 all-time in his teaching profession towards the Cyclones. 

“They rotate effectively. They defend the basketball effectively,” Capel stated. “Their ball display protection, their bigs are athletic. They’re energetic, simply the physicality during which they play with. That’s what makes them one of many higher defensive groups within the nation.”

Capel stated the Panthers are lucky to have an additional day of relaxation and never be enjoying on Thursday, the other of Texas A&M Corpus Christi who performed earlier than Pitt on Tuesday.

Courtesy Pitt Basketball

Blake Hinson will take the ground for the primary time towards Iowa State since leaving this system previous to the 2021-22 season and never enjoying the 12 months earlier than because of a medical subject. Capel has not addressed any specifics with Hinson concerning his former program.

“I actually haven’t. , it’s fascinating. I don’t suppose younger individuals are as emotional about these things as we perhaps adults are. They’re capable of transfer on very, in a short time and switch the web page,” Capel stated. “So for us it’s Pitt towards Iowa State. It’s not Blake towards Iowa State or Iowa State towards Blake.”

Courtesy Pitt Basketball

Enjoying within the Spherical of 64 for the primary time in seven years, the Panthers stay centered on the duty at hand fairly than reflecting on what they achieved. Capel is aware of the time will come when the truth of Pitt’s achievements will stay in focus, sitting again to understand the expansion and improvement to place the Panthers again on the map of the nationwide event stage. 

“If you end up within the midst of it and you’re nonetheless going, you concentrate on the following factor that’s in entrance of you,” Capel stated. “One of many issues I’ve talked about is correct now we’ve to take away all of the rearview mirrors. We’re simply trying straight out the entrance and what’s forward of us. After we’re completed, and hopefully it’s some time earlier than we’re completed, then we’ll have time to look behind us and discuss what we’ve achieved.”