Mar 14, 2023; Dayton, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers head coach Jeff Capel III looks on in the first half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at UD Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
The following quotes are excerpts from T.J. Otzelberger’s conversation with the media upon arriving in Greensboro for Iowa State’s NCAA Tournament first-round match-up with Pittsburgh.
On what he saw from the Panthers on Tuesday…
Otz: “They’re a terrific offensive team. They can really space you out. A lot of veteran guys that can make plays and shoot the basketball. They’re great in transition, and when they can get a rhythm offensively, they can put up points and scoring bunches. We’re going to have to do a great job guarding the three point line, limiting their looks there and then also contain the dribble.”
On Pitt co-leading scorer, and former Cyclone, Blake Hinson…
Otz: “I’ll say this about Blake, he came to Iowa State to play for a different coach. There was a change that was made. There’s no hard feelings. He felt it was best for him to to go elsewhere. He’s done great with it. I think there’s nobody that hasn’t done well in that scenario, right? He’s having a great career at Pitt. Our program’s are in a great place. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.”
On Pitt’s resiliciency against Mississippi State…
Otz: “Certainly, later in the year they picked up a lot of momentum overall. In last night’s game, you could see that. Blake hit a big three to put them up six late and then even when they got down one, just the resiliency they had, the togetherness as a group. You can tell that they’ve got belief in one another and showed up last night for them late when they needed it.“
On keys of winning the battle in the paint…
Otz: “For us, having played Baylor a few times lately, where they have really good guards who can space you and shoot you, we feel like we can do a good job getting to the boards and going inside to guys. It’s going to be important. It’s going to be part of our attack plan. We pride ourselves on being the team that’s more physical, rebounds better and scores more in the paint. It’s going to definitely be important against Pitt.”
On comparing Pitt to Baylor…
Otz: “I’d say as much as any team in our league, that would be the one you’d say. They have multiple guards who shoot it well from three and that can do it in transition. Baylor’s the team that is probably the closest comparison in our league.”
