For Pitt fans, it was a steal, a layup and a big non-foul call with 10 seconds left that gave Virginia the win over the Panthers 51-48 today in the Semi-final round of the 2014 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC.
For Virginia fans, it was tight, stingy Cavaliers defense that held Pitt to 36% (18 for 49 overall) shooting from the field that secured the win.
Whichever side you take, there’s no doubt the two teams were very evenly matched but Virginia had just a little better shooting to bring home the win.
Pitt kept it close throughout. Led by its two seniors, center Talib Zanna (15 points on 5 for 8 shooting and 9 rebounds) and winger Lamar Patterson (15 points on 6 for 15 shooting from the field), Pitt forced 11 Virginia turnovers and won the battle of the boards 29-27.
But Virginia kept getting layups in the paint and left Pitt trailing for most of the contest.
The Cavaliers were led by guards Joe Harris (12 points on 5 for 12 shooting and 2 for 7 from downtown) and Malcolm Brogdon (who beat Pitt earlier this season on a buzzer-beater 3 point shot had 10 points on 5 for 11 shooting) and reserve forward Anthony Gill (10 points on 3 for 7 shooting including 4 for 5 from the line).
Overall, Virginia shot 85% from the line and Pitt continued to struggle at 64% (9 for 14).
However it wasn’t until coach Jamie Dixon decided to switch Pitt’s defense to a zone scheme did the Panthers actually pull the game within reach. At several points, Virginia led by as many as 7 points. Once Pitt played zone, they eventually made it a one possession game.
Nonetheless, with the game in the balance and Virginia ready to salt it, sophomore guard James Robinson came away with an amazing steal, layup and clearly a non-foul that pulled Pitt within 49-48 with 10 seconds left.
Had the foul been called, Pitt could have tied the game and played defense for the last Cavaliers possession. Instead, Pitt was forced to foul and Anthony Gill drained two free throws to lift Virginia past Pitt 51-48.
Next up: Pitt will learn its 2014 NCAA Tournament seeding and region during tomorrow’s (Sunday 3/16) NCAA Selection Show on CBS at 6pm EST.