Pittsburgh vs Mississippi State: Key Matchups and an Injury to Watch - All Hurricanes on Sports Illustrated: News, Analysis, and More

Article photo of Pittsburgh's Federiko Federiko; photo credit John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlantic Coast Conference did not have the success during its regular season that it wanted.

Now, can the ACC make amends and play well during March Madness?

Later this week, the Miami Hurricanes, Duke Blue Devils, Virginia Cavaliers and North Carolina State Wolfpack will each have a chance to survive and advance. First, however, it will be the Pittsburgh Panthers with a test tonight from a contest in “First Four” play-in games.

The Panthers will have an opportunity to best an SEC foe to help the ACC build back its reputation. Here’s a look at a key player from each team that the other squad must find a way to slow down.

Here's tonight's preview.

(11) Pittsburgh Panthers (22-11) versus (11) Mississippi State Bulldogs (21-12)

Odds: Mississippi State -2.5 over Pittsburgh (Note: The line moved 1 point in the Bulldogs’ favor over the last 24 hours)

Over/Under: 133.5Money Line: Mississippi State (-138), Pittsburgh (+110)

Time: 9 p.m.

TV: TruTv

How well the Panthers handle 6-foot-11 and 245-pound Bulldogs power forward Tolu Smith will be a key for the final tally. Smith has scored in double figures in 17 consecutive games, including 10 of those games being double-doubles in points and rebounds.

For the season, Smith has averaged 15.8 points, shot 57.6% from the floor and 58.5% from the foul line, averaged 8.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists.

Clouding the situation for Pittsburgh, and probably why the betting line has moved towards Mississippi State, would be 6-foot-11 and 220-pound center Federiko Federiko suffering from knee pain.

During Pittsburgh’s 96-69 blowout loss to Duke in the ACC Tournament, he was limited to only 12 minutes of action because of his knee. He’s still listed as questionable for tonight’s game.

WATCH THE NCAA TOURNAMENT: 1st Round Matchups, Game Times, TV

The Panthers did not handle Duke’s size well, and it’s hard to imagine going against Smith and the Bulldogs without Federiko – the healthy version, mind you – playing 25 or more minutes for Pittsburgh to win.

He’s averaged 1.7 blocks per game this season, and he’s also changed a number of shots for opposing players. From Mississippi State’s defensive perspective, the Bulldogs have a player on the Panthers they must figure out how to guard as well.

Pittsburgh forward Blake Hinson can beat teams from outside the arc or score in the paint, making him a unique matchup for any team to guard. He’s averaged 15.6 points, shot 43% overall and 38.4% from behind the arc, while also averaging 6.2 rebounds per contest.

As a scorer, Hinson has the same average as Panthers guard Jamarius Burton. Hinson, however, has such a big-bodied frame that many other players his size can not consistently guard him 20-plus feet from the hoop where he's often lined up.

The 6-foot-7 and 235-pound forward from Deltona, Fla. has shown good footwork and knows how to score off the bounce or off a screen. There is something to note about his shooting, however.

It’s been interesting how he’s been more impactful when playing at the Petersen Events Center where the Panthers call home.

During the 19 games at home, he’s shot 41.7% from the 3-point line. During 14 road games, Hinson knocked down 33.3% of his shots from deep. Tonight’s game will be played at the University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio. So, a neutral site contest away from Pittsburgh.

Mississippi State will still need to keep a close eye on Hinson – especially if Federiko plays sparingly or not at all – because he can get red hot.

Hinson has scored 20 or more points nine times this season. During the March 4 contest at Miami, he almost helped the Panthers pull off the road upset by knocking down 6-12 from behind the arc and scoring 24 points.

Which Mississippi State defender(s) will take on Hinson the most?

More than likely, there will be a combination of defenders that try to get a hand in Hinson’s face. The Bulldogs have 6-foot-7 and 225-pound forward D.J. Jeffries, as well as 6-foot-7 and 225-pound guard Cameron Matthews that will be in the starting lineup.

It will be a benefit for the Bulldogs that either of them can match Hinson in stature, and they are both accustomed to chasing top-notch athletes while going against SEC competition during the regular season.

The winner of tonight’s game could come down to something as simple as the health of Federiko. Then again, if Hinson can find his jump shot, the Panthers could pull off the upset over the Bulldogs.

AllHurricanes.com is your home for all things Miami Hurricanes football, recruiting, basketball and other athletics, all the time. Follow along on social media at @AllHurricanes on Twitter and All Hurricanes on Facebook for round-the-clock news and analysis.