Inside The Panthers

Pitt C Federiko Federiko Day-to-Day with Knee Injury

Pitt Panthers center Federiko Federiko is making progress after sitting out the First Four game.

Stephen Thompson

Pitt C Federiko Federiko Day-to-Day with Knee Injury
Pitt C Federiko Federiko Day-to-Day with Knee Injury /
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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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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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