Inside The Panthers

Blake Hinson Grateful to Factor in Pitt's Resurgence

Blake Hinson is thankful he could be a major part of the Pitt Panthers' push for an NCAA Tournament berth.

Stephen Thompson

Blake Hinson Grateful to Factor in Pitt's Resurgence
Blake Hinson Grateful to Factor in Pitt's Resurgence /
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PITTSBURGH -- To say Blake Hinson had been riding the bench for the two years prior to becoming a Pitt Panther would be generous. A medical condition kept him sidelined and out of basketball in general for two consecutive years after he transfered from Ole Miss to Iowa State. 

So this season - one in which he's not just able to play but play well and play an essential role in Pitt's comeback story. He is the second-leading scorer and leading rebounder for the Panthers, who are knocking on the door of their first winning season and NCAA Tournament berth since 2016. 

"I'll put anything on the line for this school, this logo, this coach, this team," Hinson said in an interview with 93.7 The Fan. "Because they gave me a chance when it looked like I didn't even deserve one."

Hinson credits this group's ability to overcome a 1-3 start that included blowout losses to Michigan and West Virginia to its togetherness. They are close and committed.  

"I think it's just the care in the locker room," Hisnon said. "That's the special part. ... We're all good at basketball - I think everybody in this league is - but the care that these guys have is so high level and everybody is truly committed to winning and we mean it. We actually followed through with it."

That commitment has been rewarded with support from all over the city and fan base. Hinson played in front of a sold out crowd last time Pitt was at home when they played Miami. Hinson said he feels connected to the city because like him, they appreciate winning above all else. That's what's helped him embrace his new home. 

"We'd love to have a sold out crowd every game regardless, but I respect that the city responds to winning," Hinson said.

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Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper.  He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press.  During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.  You can reach Stephen by email at stephenethompson00@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter. Read his latest work:

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