Pitt C Guillermo Diaz Graham Starts for Federiko Federiko Against Iowa State
GREENSBORO -- The Pitt Panthers will roll with freshman Guillermo Diaz Graham in the starting lineup at center for the second straight game, with regular starter Federiko Federiko's status in question. Diaz Graham was the one abnormality in the listed starters, with Nelly Cummings, Greg Elliot, Jamarius Burton and Blake Hinson still in the mix.
Federiko was a game-time decision earlier this week in the lead-up to tip-off against Mississippi State in the First Four before ultimately sitting and was given the same status before the Panthers met Iowa State in the Round of 64. Pitt announced prior to tip-off that he would be available to come off the bench.
Federiko suffered the injury in the second round of the ACC Tournament against Georgia Tech. He took a hard fall along the sideline and had to be helped to the sideline by teammates and trainers. He returned and finished the game but played limited minutes in the following round against Duke.
He's averaging seven points and 5.6 rebounds per game this season while shooting 66.7% from the field. His 57 blocks in ACC play were the third most in the conference. He was an ACC Defensive Player of the Year candidate at the end of the regular season.
Diaz Graham filled in admirably for Federiko in the win over Mississippi State, scoring three points, grabbing five rebounds and blocking two shots in a season-high 37 minutes, but the Panthers could have used some more force on the glass. They were out-rebounded 49-28 and surrendered 13 second chance points on 18 offensive rebounds.
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