With two wins over solid mid-major programs, Pitt is off to a promising start with a reloaded lineup. Monday at home, the Panthers get another mid-major test against Gardner-Webb of the Big South.
Helping fuel the Panthers’ 2-0 start have been Damian Dunn, a graduate transfer from Houston, and Cameron Corhen, who arrived from Florida State.
While Dunn had 19 points in an 83-68 victory Friday over Murray State, Corhen delivered 13 points and 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, holdover guards Jaland Lowe and Ishmael Leggett produced 20 and 19 points, respectively.
While some backcourt players in the transfer portal might have crossed Pitt off their list because of the presence of two veteran guards, Dunn signed on and the trio has been productive.
They are averaging a combined 54.5 points, hitting 54.5 percent of their shots, including 45.4 percent from beyond the arc.
“We all have our turns. We all know we have our days. Everybody’s gonna eat,” Dunn said.
While the offense was humming last week, Pitt coach Jeff Capel wants to see more from his defense.
“We didn’t play as hard and smart as we normally do,” Capel said after the Murray State win.
Zack Austin came off the bench to spark the defense with five blocks and eight rebounds.
“We’re not as good as we think we are,” Capel added.
Gardner-Webb (1-1) arrives after delivering Jeremy Luther his first win as a Division I head coach, 88-82 at North Carolina Central on Friday in a game that the Runnin’ Bulldogs never trailed.
Anthony Selden, who returned to Gardner-Webb after a season at Rice, propelled the Runnin’ Bulldogs with 26 points on 10-of-15 shooting.
Darryl Simmons II contributed 18 points on 8-of-9 accuracy from the floor. Ademide Badmus made all six of his shots as Gardner-Webb hit a program-record 70 percent from the floor.
After losing 80-64 at then-No. 12 Tennessee, Gardner-Webb gets another chance to knock off a power-conference school at Pitt.
“We’ve got some old guys, some experienced guys,” Luther said. “I’m excited about them. I think we got a chance to really surprise some teams.”
–Field Level Media
