Blake Hinson Shouts Out Growth of Oakland Zoo
PITTSBURGH -- Before they really had started winning and long before talk of making it back to the NCAA Tournament, the Pitt Panthers had to lay a foundation for themselves and for the program. But after they began to stack victory on victory, they were rewarded with bigger and bigger crowds at the Petersen Events Center and that enthusiasm, particularly from the students in the Oakland Zoo, carried over into this season.
After watching Pitt students fill the sections surrounding the court at the Pete for the opener against North Carolina A&T, senior forward Blake Hinson, last season's leading scorer and rebounder back for one last year in blue and gold, enjoyed feeling and hearing their enthusiasm before the game even started.
"I do remember last year. It was one of the first games, I always tell the story about the Zoo growing in attendance, and during the national anthem, when they yelled ‘HAIL’, last year, first game only one person yelled ‘HAIL’. No exaggeration. It was a pretty loud ‘HAIL’ [on Monday]. That’s so dope."
Head coach Jeff Capel felt a similar feeling, saying the student turnout n the opener felt like a continuation of what the program had worked to build the year prior.
"First and foremost, it was great to be back out there and especially to be in front of our students," Capel said after beating North Carolina A&T. "Man, they were incredible. When I walked out of the tunnel and saw both end zones filled and right behind the benches and to feel their energy right away, it was really cool to be back and to kind of have a continuation of where we finished off last season with their support right now tonight."
To Hinson and Capel, it's exciting to compete in front of a full Oakland Zoo, but it has become familiar. Freshman point guard Bub Carrington got his first taste of it and was blown away. That connection seems bound to only grow stronger as the season wears on, especially if Carrington can keep up his stellar play from the opener.
"I do want to thank the Zoo," Carrington, who became a quick fan favorite by recording just the fifth triple-double in school history in his debut, said. "They were incredible today. First time playing in front of an actual Zoo, you know, first actual game. It was definitely an incredible experience."
Hinson and the rest of the team are appreciative of the support, but don't take it for granted. They know those kinds of crowds are earned through effort and wins. Keep stacking them and sellouts will ensue. Start losing, and you're on your own. Hinson wouldn't have it any other way.
"They respond to winning," Hinson said. "Which is how they should be.”
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