Anyone who watched the ND-Pitt game on Wednesday, knows Pitt had some players dinged up. Aaron Gray had an ankle issue. Levon Kendall’s back was flaring and it turns out there are some other aches.

Following an off-day, forward Levon Kendall was held out of practice Friday at Petersen Events Center with back spasms. Forwards John DeGroat (bruised thigh) and Sam Young (hip pointer) also were hobbled, but both players practiced.

While the current layoff represents the longest of the season for Pitt, ranked No. 22 in the Associated Press Top 25 and No. 20 in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches’ Poll, Dixon isn’t worried about his team becoming complacent.

“I don’t think that’s going to be a problem,” he said. “Frankly, it hasn’t been something we’ve even thought about.”

The next game is on Thursday against DePaul — who, by the way, beat a not-surprisingly tired Notre Dame team last night 72-67. Even more shocking, ND once again showed no interior presence.

Doyle Hudson gets a minor puff piece on his transition to Pitt and still learning to play basketball.

Hudson has aspirations to play a more prominent role with the Panthers. It takes junior-college players some time to get used to the rigors of Pitt’s program. John DeGroat went through it last season, and he is starting this season.

“At first, it was rough,” Hudson said. “It’s much more aggressive, a much faster pace. In JUCO, it’s much more laid back. Here, it’s a good competition every night. I’m just trying to get better. I’m not giving up on this year yet. I still think I can contribute.”

Not sure why, but it was a problem for DeGroat as well last year. Keeping up with the pace. DeGroat often seemed a step slow. I mean with Hudson, it is a little more. Simply put, he needs more bulk and strength. He doesn’t seem strong enough to be out on the floor for long.

Not directly related, but considering the number of ACL and other surgeries he does — and the work on Kicker Josh Cummings knee this past season. A fairly interesting puff piece on Dr. Freddie Fu.