This story suggests that Freshman Gilbert Brown will not be getting redshirted.
Pitt coach Jamie Dixon is juggling a nine-player rotation, which is about the limit for most college basketball coaches. All nine of those players are averaging more than five points and 12 minutes per game.
There does not appear to be room for another player in the mix, but yesterday Dixon made it seem as if he was preparing to put freshman Gilbert Brown in the rotation.
Brown, a 6-foot-6 small forward from Harrisburg, has been practicing with the team for only about three weeks. He had a bout with mononucleosis in October that set him back and ligaments in his right ankle were torn.
Brown missed practice for a month and is behind in his development, but Dixon seems convinced that he is close to being ready to contribute to the team on a consistent basis.
Many projected Brown to be the only freshman in the class with the skills that could allow him to crash the line-up this season. Brown also did a year of prep school, so he is more eager and a bit more polished then a regular freshman.
I think a side story in the article is that Keith Benjamin sounds much wiser and more like a leader than ever before.
“I talk to him [Brown] all the time,” Benjamin said. “Things are not always meant to be. Sometimes in recruiting you’re sold dreams. He is finally starting to realize that there are eight or nine guys who are good already. He’s doing a better job of fitting in. I hope he’s out there soon. He’s looking good. His shooting has improved tremendously since he got here. He’s a complete-package guard. Everyone knows about him now. It just takes some time.”
Benjamin, early last year, seemed too eager to only look for his shot and push his way into the lineup without regard to the team. This is a very good development.
Of course, the other reason for Gilbert Brown playing this year may mean that the Sam Young at small forward plan may be scaled back this season.
To his credit, Young is switching to small forward after playing mainly power forward last year. While he is averaging only 5.7 points and 2.6 rebounds per game, Young is impressing Dixon with his seamless transition from interior defense to the perimeter.
“He’s doing a great job on the defensive end,” Dixon said. “He’s a very good player and has really worked hard and is making a great adjustment in that regard. Better than almost all who have tried to do that.”
On offense, however, Young has at times looked uncomfortable in the new spot. He has 12 turnovers, or two more than point guard Levance Fields.
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But the adjustment from power forward to small forward means Young is defended by quicker players. Suddenly, his 35-inch vertical leap and rebounding prowess aren’t as important as his decision making, ball-handling and passing skills.
“He’s still getting the feel for it,” senior guard Antonio Graves said. “Last year he played the four (power forward) most of the time, and he had a bigger guy guarding him. Now, he has guards on him. He’s just got to adjust. He’ll be OK.”
Dixon said Young is improving every day at practice.
“He’s done a great job, and it’s because he’s worked so hard,” Dixon said. “That’s why he’s such a much better player than he was in high school and after his freshman year.”
Young is too good, valuable and important a part of the team to not play more and be able to provide more impact. He’ll likely still play a bit at the small forward to keep learning it, but more inside at power forward would be my guess.
This will mean a numbers crunch at power forward, and Biggs and perhaps Kendall playing some more at Center behind Gray. Doyle Hudson seems likely to have his numbers fall further.
