Pitt's Blake Hinson reacts to historic performance with humor, humility

In less than two full years at Pitt, senior Blake Hinson has become well-acquainted with the university’s record books, particularly when it comes to 3-point shooting.

His 17 3-point attempts against Syracuse in February 2023 are the most in a game by a Panthers player. Earlier this season against West Virginia, he set a record for most 3-pointers made in a game with nine.

In Saturday’s 86-59 win over Louisville, Hinson etched his name deeper into the annals of Pitt basketball.

He dropped 41 points on the Cardinals, good for third all-time by a Panther and the most at Petersen Events Center.

Hinson finished five points shy of breaking Don Hennon’s program-record 45 points, which came against Duke in 1957.

He also became the fourth-fastest player to reach 1,000 points in a Pitt uniform, doing so in 61 games on a first-half layup.

41 points.

➡️ The MOST scored by a Panther at the Pete
➡️ Tied program record (his own) for threes in a game
➡️ Tied for third-most points by a Panther in a single game

Blake. Hinson. pic.twitter.com/dydoG1PqhB

— Pitt Basketball (@Pitt_MBB) February 18, 2024

After the game, Hinson said he didn’t know about several of the records. But the one he singled out was for most 3-pointers made in a game.

“No, I actually didn’t realize I tied the 3-point (single-game) record, which is cool. It was my own (record), so that’s cool,” he said nonchalantly, followed by a smile.

“Sorry, that came off arrogant.”

Hinson picked a good night to take over.

Jaland Lowe and Ishmael Leggett were limited to 10 points each, nearly all of which was accrued in garbage time.

“We love it,” junior Zack Austin said. “We’re a family here, so seeing somebody go off like that just gets us going.”

Forty. One. pic.twitter.com/BoEmbK9Zc4

— Pitt Basketball (@Pitt_MBB) February 18, 2024

Coach Jeff Capel, who recruited Hinson as a transfer from Iowa State before last season, has come to give his sharpshooting senior a long leash when it comes to shot selection.

Hinson, whose 97 3-pointers made last year rank third all-time at Pitt in a single season, has rewarded that trust more often than not.

After Saturday’s performance, he has hit 91 3-pointers this year, with six regular-season games remaining plus the ACC Tournament and prospectively more hoops in March.

Pitt’s record for most 3-pointers made in a season is 102, set by Ashton Gibbs in 2011.

“I have learned with Blake, and I learned this last year coaching him, he has the freedom to take bad shots at times,” Capel said. “It’s something that can get him going, and I understand that about him.

“… He took one where I thought he should have driven it in the second half right in front of our bench in the corner. I thought that’s one he should have shot-faked and driven it. But he’s earned the right to have that freedom.”

Capel, in his sixth season at Pitt, also has led VCU and Oklahoma to the NCAA Tournament as a head coach in addition to serving as associate head coach to Mike Krzyzewski at Duke, Capel’s alma mater.

“I don’t know if I’ve had anyone shooting 3s like that,” Capel said of Hinson. “When I’ve been a head coach, I don’t know if I’ve had anyone shoot the basketball like him.”

As for Hinson himself, knowing his coach is behind him has translated to cool nerves on the court.

“All credit to the coaches,” Hinson said. “I’ve been to three different schools and haven’t been on any pace like this. It’s the coaches letting me have the freedom and giving me the confidence, as well. Mixed in with the work, this is the result.”

Hinson’s big game powered Pitt to a fifth straight win, and the Panthers will aim to continue strengthening their NCAA Tournament resume Tuesday at Wake Forest. That’s what Hinson was focusing on shortly after Saturday’s victory.

“At the end of the day, the most special thing that happened today was that we won and we’re on a five-game winning streak,” Hinson said. “That’s the most special thing, and what’s the most important for this team.”