Pitt shoots for 3rd win vs. Georgia Tech in 2nd round of ACC tourney

For much of Tuesday afternoon, Pitt might have been expecting to play Florida State in its first ACC Tournament game.

But the situation changed dramatically at the Greensboro (N.C.) Coliseum, and Georgia Tech rallied to defeat the Seminoles, 61-60, in the tournament’s first game.

After its first-round bye, Pitt will play Georgia Tech at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday in a second-round game.

The Yellow Jackets (15-17) looked to be a one-and-done tournament team, trailing Florida State by 10 at halftime and 11 in the second half. But with the score tied 60-60, Ja’von Franklin collected his last of 19 rebounds, was fouled and hit the first free throw with 3/10s of a second to play in the game. He missed the second intentionally to run out the clock.

Franklin’s free throw gave Georgia Tech its first lead since the 15-minute, 37-second mark of the first half. His rebound total is a Georgia Tech record for an ACC Tournament game, and he also contributed 10 points and three blocks.

Georgia Tech gets the win in the final seconds! ????

GT defeats FSU 61-60!@GTMBB | @CPISecurity pic.twitter.com/RusleLtKGD

— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) March 7, 2023

“I just try to get every loose ball and give my team extra possessions,” Franklin said on the ACC Network.

That’s not what Pitt wants to hear after Miami recorded 25 second-chance points Saturday in its 78-76 victory against the Panthers.

After committing only five turnovers, Georgia Tech, the tournament’s No. 13 seed, has won four consecutive games, the second-longest active streak in the ACC. Only Duke, who gets the Georgia Tech/Pitt winner Thursday in a quarterfinal, has a longer streak (six). The Blue Devils (23-8) are ranked 21st nationally in the Associated Press Top 25.

Speaking to reporters Monday, Pitt coach Jeff Capel didn’t offer any details on his plans, but he probably won’t make many adjustments to his Georgia Tech gameplan. After all, Pitt (21-10) defeated the Yellow Jackets twice: 71-60 in Atlanta and 76-68 in the rematch at Petersen Events Center on Feb. 21. The first victory came in the midst of Georgia Tech’s nine-game losing streak.

“This time of year, you may add a few things,” Capel said, “but it’s maybe tweaking some stuff and trying to make sure you’re as fresh as you possibly can be.”

Freshness and maintaining energy throughout the week will be the key for Pitt. After finishing fifth in the regular-season standings, Pitt must win four games in four days to claim its first ACC championship.

Pitt must reverse two recent trends:

• The Panthers have not played good defense over their past five games, allowing an average of 79 points.

• They were outrebounded by Miami, 42-20.

There’s not much time to fix problems, especially when coaches, including Capel, are careful not to wear out their players after a four-month season and 31 games.

“For us, we can’t do a lot because we don’t want to do a lot of physical things. We can’t afford an injury,” Capel said. “We’ve been a pretty good rebounding team all year. We just didn’t rebound well the other day.”

Franklin, who has played at Holmes (Miss.) Community College, Auburn and South Alabama, has been injured part of the season, and he has played in only 18 games. But he’s been healthy recently, and last week he recorded a triple double (14 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists) in a 96-76 victory at Syracuse.

After playing only six minutes in the first game against Pitt, Franklin was on the floor for all 40 last month, recording 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two blocks.

For Pitt, Nike Sibande scored 21 points in 35 minutes off the bench in Atlanta. In two games, Nelly Cummings recorded 33 points and nine assists and Blake Hinson 32 points and 10 rebounds.