[Editor Note: Blogger went down last night. Post originally intended for around midnight.]
Just short of being another exhibition. Pitt completely dominated. They had a halftime lead of 40-15. From there it was all about giving everyone some minutes, “Bears rule. Everybody plays.” In only 19 minutes, Chevy Troutman had a double-double: 18 points and 11 rebounds (2-2 on FT). Freshman, Ronald Ramon got the start and played 32 minutes. Significant, as he was the first freshman to start a season opener since Ricardo Greer in ’97.
I didn’t see the game — obviously — but the box score and play-by-play (PDF version here), are encouraging. The team shot better than 50% for the game, and 50% from 3-point range. Troubling to read that free throws were not good: 11-20 (Taft 4-7, Kendall 2-4, DeGroat 1-3).
The quote sheet (PDF) has Coach Dixon explaining why Ramon started — Antonio Graves has a sore ankle — and some concern over the number of Pitt turnovers (25) in the game.
John DeGroat admitted to having some butterflies at first. Chevon Troutman sounding like a crusty vet right now.
“We’re a lot younger. I feel like they really haven’t learned the system yet. There’s some things we still need to work on.”
The number of players used by Pitt wasn’t surprising. Coach Dixon said he was planning to get everyone into the game. Try and start figuring out how, where and who the pieces are.
Yesterday’s stories focused on Carl Krauser. He’s the vocal leader. He’s looking to give his teammates more opportunities to score this year.
The beat reporters have their stories on the game. Julius Page and Jaron Brown were in attendence and got a big ovation when shown on the video screen. The comments by DeGroat were interesting.
Page and Brown, who play for the Pit Bulls of the American Basketball Association, were in attendance last night and received a rousing ovation. The irony was not lost on Ramon and DeGroat, a duo that might one day fill their roles.
“We feel their presence,” said DeGroat, who replaced Demetris early in the first half and showed an ability to grind inside with seven rebounds (4 on offense; 3 on defense). “I know there’s pressure on me to step up right away because I was brought in from a junior college. It’s a little different for Ronald because he’s a freshman and was playing high school ball last year. I have to get in there and make plays.”
He is very aware of his status, but appears to be working hard to prove he belongs in the starting line-up — by playing the tough defense.
