Pitt C Federiko Federiko Day-to-Day with Knee Injury
PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers escaped Dayton, Ohio and the First Four with a tight, 60-59 win over Mississippi State and they did it without starting center Federiko Federiko, who was sorely missed as they faced All-SEC post player Tolu Smith.
Wiry freshman Guillermo Diaz Graham was excellent in relief of Federiko, but the Panthers would prefer to have their best big man back on the floor as they try to avoid the -21 rebounding margin they posted against the Bulldogs. The good news is that Federiko is progressing from that injury and feeling better, but he gave no indication as to whether or not he would play in the first-round game against Iowa State.
Pitt head coach Jeff Capel said Federiko is "day-to-day" as the team arrives in Greensboro, North Carolina to prepare for their date with the Cyclones. Capel added that he thinks Federiko feels some pressure to get back out on the floor because of the magnitude of the game, but the coaching staff approaching the injury with his long-term health in mind.
"I think that makes Federiko a little more anxious to be out there, to be a part of it, but we will do what's best for him long term, not what's best in the short term for us," Capel said. "It has to be what's best for him. We will not put him or anyone out there if there's going to be any harm for right now or for anything in the future."
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