Pitt’s tournament hopes take big hit
Pitt’s Jamel Artis, left, and Michael Young react during the final seconds of a loss at Georgia Tech Saturday in Atlanta.
Pitt’s James Robinson, left, is fouled by Georgia Tech’s Adam Smith in the first half Saturday in Atlanta.
ATLANTA – Brian Gregory believes Georgia Tech might need a couple wins in the ACC tournament to impress the NCAA selection committee.
He also might need a couple more victories to save his job.
“We have a chance,” the fifth-year coach said. “I think we should be in the discussion. Do we need to do a few more things? Yes, I think so. But we’re in position now.”
Adam Smith scored 23 points, Nick Jacobs added 19 points and 12 rebounds and Georgia Tech beat Pitt, 63-59, Saturday.
The Yellow Jackets (18-13, 8-10 Atlantic Coast Conference) finished their best regular season under Gregory. Georgia Tech has won five of six.
Michael Young score 24 points for Pitt (20-10, 9-9). Despite winning last Sunday at home against then-No. 15 Duke, the Panthers dropped two straight and are trying to avoid missing the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year.
“It puts in a situation where we’ve got to do something here going forward,” coach Jamie Dixon said. “This is another tough loss for us.”
Pitt missed all 11 of its 3-point attempts, marking the first time this season the Panthers were scoreless beyond the arc. Chris Jones missed a 3 and James Robinson a layup in the closing seconds for Pitt.
Smith’s 3-pointer with 6:24 remaining gave the Jackets a 56-55 lead, and they never trailed again. Smith went 5-for-7 beyond the arc.
“He’s an experienced shooter, and we let him get going,” Pitt forward Sheldon Jeter said after scoring 12 points. “He hit two daggers, absolute daggers, late in the shot clock.”
Marcus Georges-Hunt scored 10 points and Charles Mitchell had 11 rebounds for Georgia Tech. Both are seniors who played their last home game for the Jackets.
For Gregory, who is a career 27-61 coach in the ACC, the focus is more on his players than whether he returns next season. Athletic director Mike Bobinski said last March the Jackets had to show “clear signs of progress” for Gregory to be back in 2016-17.
“I’m going to be all right,” Gregory said. “I have an unbelievable family, the whole bit. You want it for the guys. You want it for (the seniors). You want it for the young guys and the (transfer) guys.”
Pitt: The Panthers had just six assists, three by Young. … In the last two games, Pitt went missed a combined 29 of 32 on threes. … Freshman G Cameron Johnson missed the game after accidentally cutting his arm in the Virginia Tech locker room. Dixon didn’t know how much time Johnson will miss.
Georgia Tech: The Jackets didn’t allow a three-pointer for the first time since losing to Maryland Jan. 30, 2011.
… Tech was outscored 38-22 in the paint and 14-5 from the bench. … Other than Smith, the rest of the team went 0-for-8 on three-pointers. … Tech’s four-game ACC winning streak, the team’s longest since 2001-02, ended in a three-point loss Wednesday at No. 11 Louisville.
Pitt: Second round of the ACC tournament Wednesday in Washington.
Georgia Tech: Second round of the ACC tournament Wednesday in Washington.