AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- It's a concern for almost every Big East Conference team in every NCAA tournament. How much will the officials allow physical play?

Yesterday, Pitt drew three officials who hadn't worked a Pitt game this season, and they called the game tight. Three of Pitt's starters had two fouls 12 minutes into the game, which changed the way the Panthers wanted to play.

For the game, Pitt had 23 personal fouls; Bradley 16.

Junior center Aaron Gray, junior forward Levon Kendall and senior guard Carl Krauser had to sit out a combined 26 minutes in the first half because of the foul trouble.

"They definitely wanted to control it a little more," Gray said. "It was a little weird that our three top players had two fouls in the first half and they didn't have any of their top players in foul trouble."

Kendall said the game was refereed much differently than the first-round game against Kent State when officials allowed the players to set the tone physically. Pitt was called for 13 personal fouls in the Kent State game.

"We had to make some adjustments the way the refereeing was going," Kendall said. "It was a lot different from the first game when they let us play and allowed to use our bodies. It was a lot more sensitive [officiating]. That's the way it works. It's always game to game."

Gray picked up his third foul with 16:45 remaining in the game when he was called for a technical after slamming the ball to the floor in disgust after he was called for five seconds.

Referee Scott Thornely made the call from half-court even though he did not see Gray slam the ball. The other two officials closer to Gray did not make the call.

Karl Benson of the NCAA selection committee issued a statement after the game concerning the technical foul.

"It's a judgment call, not an automatic technical," Benson said.

Still sleepy?

Pitt coach Jamie Dixon might want to think twice about scheduling early afternoon games next season. Pitt did not play well this season when games started at noon. The Panthers were 1-3 in noon games. The Panthers also lost to St. John's and Georgetown and beat Marquette in the other noon games.

"We haven't done so well in the noon games," Kendall said. "We recognized that and made sure we got to bed and got our rest. I don't know why it happens. But it was something we recognized and talked about."

"I have to be honest. We were up early and ready to go," Krauser said. "We just didn't execute on the court. As a result we lost the game."

Gray mum on future

Gray brushed aside questions about his future, but he is expected to go through the NBA pre-draft workouts and pre-draft camp in May to assess where he might be drafted. As long as Gray does not sign with an agent, he can get feedback on his draft status and decide to return if he does not like his position.

Graves ineffective

Maybe junior guard Antonio Graves ought to tell Dixon he would like to remain a reserve. In his two games as a starter in the NCAA tournament, Graves was 1 for 13 from the field and scored three points.

Graves earned the starts by having a breakout performance in the Big East tournament when he averaged 10.7 points per game in the four games in New York.

End of the road

Krauser had 17 points, 5 assists and 6 turnovers and finished his career in ninth place on Pitt's all-time scoring list with 1,642 points. In his four playing seasons, Krauser had a 104-27 record with four NCAA tournament appearances, becoming one of only three players in school history to play in four NCAA tournaments.

"This is the best five years I spent anywhere in my life," Krauser said. "I didn't have anything but one book bag when I got here. This was a city known for football and we turned it into a nationally known basketball program. I'm proud of my achievements."

Krauser hopes to play professionally next season in the NBA or overseas.

Short jumpers

Junior forward Doyle Hudson was called on to play five minutes in the first half when Gray and Kendall were in foul trouble and responded with four rebounds. ... Bradley improved to 5-1 against Pitt. ... Bradley became the second team from the Missouri Valley Conference to advance to the Sweet 16. Wichita State reached the third round by beating No. 2 seed Tennessee Saturday. ... Bradley improved to 3-0 against ranked teams this season. The Braves also beat Northern Iowa and Kansas.