Immediate box scores can be inaccurate, but looking at this one points to the exception of the conventional wisdom of the NCAA Tournament. Bradley’s frontcourt led the way for the Braves.
Their Guard play was good and kept up some defensive pressure, but it was Bradley’s Center and Forwards that led the way. Aggressive play. Hard to the basket and drawing fouls to get to the line — and making them. O’Bryant, Sommerville and Wright (C,F,F) had 60 of Bradley’s 72 points (19-42 FG, 21-24 FT).
Pitt’s front court players: Gray, Kendall and Young had 23 points — 10-21 FG and 3-4 FT.
Considering the purposeful fouls at the end, Pitt really didn’t commit that many more fouls than Bradley, 21-16. The difference was that Pitt fouled Bradley too often in the act of shooting: 32 FTA to 11. A by-product of the team that is more aggressive going to the basket.
Bradley only attempted 6 3FG to Pitt’s 20.
Pitt was outrebounded 40-38 and on the offensive glass 16-12. Gray only had 4 rebounds (as many as Hudson had in 5 minutes), Kendall was Pitt’s co-leader along with Krauser with 6. O’Bryant had 7 and Wright had 9 to lead Bradley.