Pitt G Jamarius Burton Built for Big Moment

Pitt Panthers guard Jamarius Burton is always ready to deliver in the biggest moments.

DAYTON -- He handled the ball the length of the court. He got a switch on to 6'11 Tolu Smith and saw blood in the water. Then Jamarius Burton crossed over, took two dribbles in, created space and released the shot that lifted his Pitt Panthers to their first NCAA Tournament win since 2014. 

Burton's sweet jumper with nine seconds resulted in the 21st and final lead change of Pitt's 60-59 victory over Mississippi State at the First Four in Dayton, Ohio and it came as no surprise to Burton or his teammates because this is who he is and this is what he does.

“When I got the ball, I told myself I’m built for this," Burton said I’ve been in this position with the ball in my hands throughout this season and last season where it’s come down to me taking a shot. So I just told myself I’m built for this and it, gave myself the confidence, got to a spot and let it go.”

Burton's night got off to a rough start. After canning two shots in the game's first six minutes, he committed a turnover, then two fouls over a span of eight seconds. He spent five and a half minutes on the bench before returning, didn't make a shot for the rest of the first half, then committed his third foul 1:16 into the second half. His fourth came little more than a minute into his next shift. 

Saddled with four fouls, Burton played just 19 minutes, his lightest workload of the season. As he rode pine, the lead changed hands seemingly with every possession, but instead of anxiety, Burton exuded serenity. The quiet, serious leader of the Panthers bided his time, waiting for the opportunity he knew would come. 

“As long as we win, I don’t care," Burton said. "I just knew going out there, having an opportunity to play down the stretch that I could make an impact to help us win.”

That opportunity did come and Burton surprised no one when he delivered again in a big moment with a game-winning shot. Last season, his fadeaway jumper with seconds remaining toppled St. John's at Madison Square Garden. In January, his 31-point masterpiece earned Pitt a win over then-ranked North Carolina. In February, his steal punctuated the Panthers' last-ditch comeback victory over Miami. Now in March, his trademark turnaround jumper from halfway up the paint delivered the program's first NCAA Tournament win in nine years. 

It came as no surprise that it was Burton who wanted the ball in the closing seconds and it was even less of a surprise that he delivered. 

“He wanted that," guard Greg Elliot said. "That’s what he lives for. That’s what he does.”

Burton's time at Pitt has seldom featured moments like this, where he can be the hero with so much on the line, but that doesn't mean he arrives at clutch moments unprepared. Ever confident in his abilities, Burton knew his time would come and that he would be ready to meet the moment. 

"When I had the ball in my hands the last 30 seconds or so, I just told myself I was built for it," Burton said. "And I just got to a spot and let it go, and I had complete confidence in myself."

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