Inside The Panthers

Pitt C Guillermo Diaz Graham Starts for Federiko Federiko Against Iowa State

Whether Federiko Federiko will play for the Pitt Panthers is in question.

Stephen Thompson

Pitt C Guillermo Diaz Graham Starts for Federiko Federiko Against Iowa State
Pitt C Guillermo Diaz Graham Starts for Federiko Federiko Against Iowa State /
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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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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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