The #1 Florida Gators were a tough draw for Pitt. A team loaded with experience and athleticism was simply too much for the Panthers to compete with and as a result, the Gators knocked Pitt out of the 2014 NCAA Tournament with a 61-45 victory at the Amway Center in Orlando, FL.
Pitt (26-10 overall and 11-7 in the ACC) tried to keep it close in the first half. Trading buckets right up to the half, Florida point guard Scottie Wilbekin (21 points on 9 for 15 shooting and 3 for 7 from behind the arc) nailed a 3 pointer just as the half-time horn sounded and gave the Gators a 5 point 27-22 lead.
The Panthers were led by seniors Talib Zanna (10 points on 5 for 7 shooting and 6 rebounds) and Lamar Patterson (8 points on 3 for 11 shooting and 1 for 7 from behind the arc). Both players concluded their eligibility at Pitt with fine careers.
The Gators (34-2 overall, 18-0 in the SEC) backcourt was also led by guard Michael Frazier II (10 points on 3 for 10 shooting and 2 for 9 from behind the arc).
Florida outrebounded Pitt 38-31 and won the turnover battle 11-6 as well.