Pitt C Federiko Federiko Sat vs Xavier to Avoid Further Injury

Jeff Capel held the Pitt Panthers' starting center out of the Xavier game to avoid further aggravating an injury.

GREENSBORO -- The Pitt Panthers won two NCAA Tournament games largely without the help of starting center Federiko Federiko, who had been sidelined for two games with an MCL sprain before returning for limited minutes against Iowa State in the first round. 

But despite returning to play 11 minutes against Iowa State, Federiko was not at 100%, according to Pitt head coach Jeff Capel. He pulled Federiko after less than a full minute of action.

"When Federiko came in the game, he was limping as he was running up and down the court," Capel said. "I'm not going to put him in a position where he could cause any further damage, so I made that decision not to play him any more the rest of the game."

Freshman Guillermo Diaz Graham filled in capably as a backup, averaging  7.6 points, seven rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game in three starts during each of the Panthers' NCAA Tournament games. But the Panthers struggled defensively in their loss to Xavier and got out-rebounded by 17 over the course of their 120 minutes of play in the Big Dance. They could have used Federiko's defensive ability and strength down low this postseason. 

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