Pitt's Federiko Federiko taking advantage of playing time while filling in for John Hugley

Pitt knows that John Hugley isn’t 100% since returning from a knee injury that caused the 6-foot-10 junior forward to miss six weeks in the offseason and the first three games of the season.

Instead of dwelling on Hugley’s diminished playing time, the Panthers are focusing on the opportunity it has given newcomers Federiko Federiko and twins Guillermo and Jorge Diaz Graham. Where Hugley has played only 14 minutes in each of the past two games, Federiko averaged 20 minutes.

“For us, John’s limited minutes and his absence has done nothing but helped the younger guys,” Pitt guard Jamarius Burton said. “Fede’s getting more minutes, more time and gaining more experiences. So is G and Jorge. We understand the talent that we have in John. We’re just here to support him and try to fight as much as possible until he gets back to 100% healthy. Everything that’s happened has allowed other guys to gain more confidence and gain more experience that will ultimately help our team.”

Federiko, a 6-foot-11, 220-pound sophomore from Northern Oklahoma junior college via First Love Christian Academy in Washington, has taken advantage of his increased playing time the past three games and is looking forward to facing another test against Vanderbilt at 9 p.m. Wednesday at Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville.

Where Hugley produced a combined two points and two rebounds in 29 total minutes the past two games, Federiko filled in admirably. He started four games — going for 13 points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots in his debut against UT-Martin — and provided a boost both with his ability in the screen-and-roll, as well as on defense and the boards.

Federiko went 3 for 5 from the field to score six points with two rebounds and a blocked shot in 25 minutes in Friday’s 68-60 win at N.C. State, and had two points, seven rebounds and a block in the 87-58 win at Northwestern on Nov. 28.

“I feel great about my job,” Federiko said. “I’ve got amazing guards. My job is to make sure they are open. They’re finding me under the basket.”

Federiko, who is averaging 3.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks a game, is shooting .722 from the field (13 of 18), leads Pitt with eight dunks and ranks 12th in the ACC with 10 blocked shots.

After facing the likes of Michigan 7-foot-1 center Hunter Dickinson and N.C. State 6-foot-9, 275-pound junior forward D.J. Burns, Federiko believes he’s prepared to go against Vanderbilt 7-footer Liam Robbins, who is averaging 12.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks a game.

“I feel like I took confidence, playing against a good big man like that, that I could play defense on him and contest his shots,” Federiko said of Dickinson. “I’m always trying to be ready to give my all.”

The Panthers are counting on the experience gained by Federiko in nonconference play will provide depth off the bench when Hugley returns to full speed.

“Exactly,” Burton said. “That’s the big thing, other guys gaining experience while he’s still recovering and still trying to get back to full strength, as well as his talent. It does nothing but make us an even better team, a complete team.”