Pitt G Jamarius Burton Called Players-Only Meeting After Miami Loss

The Pitt Panthers' undisputed leader wanted to ensure everyone was in the right head space before the ACC Tournament.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers had just suffered a heartbreaking loss and had to let it stew for the nearly three-hour flight from South Florida back to Pittsburgh. A potentially game-winning shot went wide at the buzzer, officially snuffing out their valiant comeback attempt in a 78-76 loss to the then- No. 16 Miami Hurricanes at the Watsco Center in Coral Gables. 

The Panthers lost more than just a share of the regular season title that night - their pride was wounded. Pitt arrived in Miami locked in a tie for first place with the Hurricanes and left as the fifth seed in the ACC Tournament. 

As the team returned home with noticeably less pep in their step, so Jamarius Burton decided to do something about it. He called a players-only meeting to help the team stay level and refocus them on what still lied ahead. 

“I just felt like it was easy for us to hang our heads after two tough losses," Burton said. "We knew the stakes, had an opportunity to have a share of the conference regular season title. We all wanted that and it was within our fingertips and we don’t anybody to be dismayed by the outcome. We still have a tremendous opportunity ahead in the tournament and we just want to put our best foot forward.”

In that meeting, one conducted without head coach Jeff Capel's knowledge, the Panthers checked in on everyone. There wasn't finger-pointing or blame-sharing, but support for whoever needed it. Burton led the meeting, offering support for those who needed it and letting his teammates talk through their frustrations while also looking forward to what is still ahead of them. 

Starting forward Blake Hinson is on the third school of his collegiate career and he knows how necessary it is to help teammates reset after tough games. 

“I think the meeting was totally necessary to call," Hinson said. "This is the third program I’ve been involved in and it’s necessary to check in with everybody and how things feel going forward. Did it change any mindsets? I don’t think so but that’s what the meeting is for - to see if anybody’s mindset needed to change.”

Burton was the ideal person to call such a meeting, according to Hinson. He's been the undisputed leader of this group all season. As one of its oldest and most-experienced members, he knows what it takes to create a cohesive unit when pressure is mounting. 

“He’s been the outright leader of this team all year and that’s the voice we need. I don’t really see anybody fit to do so as he does it. It’s a calming voice, it’s a down-to-earth voice and I’m glad he’s able to do that for us.”

Burton said he thought the meeting was productive and he's excited to see how his teammates respond to the new challenge ahead of themselves. 

“Everybody was still locked in on the task at hand and knows we still have goals in front of us and that we have the opportunity to write our story

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