Pittsburgh kicks off its NCAA Tournament run against No.9 seed, Wichita State. The two teams are built the same way, with an emphasis on defense and size. The game will be a battle of big men, Carl Hall of Wichita and 7-footer Steven Adams of Pittsburgh. While Hall is a sixth-year senior, Adams is a 19-year old freshman, whose size is drawing a lot of attention this March Madness.
This game could be the lowest scoring of the first weekend of the tournament. Pittsburgh ranks sixth nationally in scoring defense, allowing 55.4 points per game. Wichita allows an average of 60.7 points per game. Both control the boards very well with strong rebounding abilities. Wichita averages 38.4 rebounds, while Pittsburgh ranks ninth in that statistic.
This is Pittsburgh 24th tournament appearance but has yet to have a year where they advance past the Elite Eight. They did not qualify last year and have taken the attitude of revenge as they enter into their first game. A No.9 seed is the highest they have received since 2005 when they lost to Pacific in the first round. Wichita State made the tournament, but was ousted in the first round after losing to Virginia Commonwealth.
Wichita has a few players that will matchup well against Pittsburgh. Ehimen Orukpe if 7-feet tall, averaging 16 minutes per game will help guard against Adams. Hall is averaging 12.8 points per game and 7.2 rebounds which makes him the best all-around player in this game. Pittsburgh has the ability to really stretch the floor and battle inside. If Wichita State is going to stay in this game, they must stop Pitt's ability to shoot from the 3-point line. The team is averaging 36.2 percent shooting from outside the line.
