Pitt hosts University of Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday at 4:00 p.m.
I know what you're thinking, Maryland Eastern Shore is 3-12 and Pitt is 11-1, fresh off of a win against Syracuse. The Panthers' next game should be a cake walk. They'll sweep the floor so clean you'll think they had maid service, right?
Not so fast.
The Hawks of Maryland Eastern Shore are nowhere near as bad as their record. I saw them play against St. Joseph's this past week and while St. Joe's won by 10, the game was closer than that. UMES has some scorers and guys that can get hot.
Yes, St. Joe's is not Pitt nor are they in the ACC. However, they upset Virginia Tech 79-62 last week at the Barclays Center, so the Hawks are not a sleeper either.
UMES' attack is led by senior guard Devin Martin, he is a pure scorer, averaging 18 ppg along with 4.3 rpg and 2.3 apg. He has been on a tear lately. In his last four games he was recorded, 34, 37, 23 and 24 points. Martin can get hot and is virtually unstoppable when he heats up.
He is assisted by senior big man Dominique Elliot who averages 12.2 ppg and 6.4 rpg. He is a tough, hard-nosed defender, typical glue guy. The kind-of guy that can make things difficult in the paint. His post moves are second-to-none and he can hit the fadeaway like the best of them.
The rest of the team is nothing to write about, but they are extremely well-coached, and play well together.
No, I don't think Pitt is not going to lose. UMES has had their share of ugly losses playing a tough schedule so far that has included major programs such as Michigan State, Georgetown, Missouri, Kansas State, and Maryland. The Panthers should win by 10-15 or maybe even 20. But do not be surprised nor upset if Pitt does not race out to a 35-40-point victory over UMES. They should have no problem winning, but UMES is capable of keeping things closer than expected.
