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Plenty in reserve
Kevin Gorman can be reached via e-mail or 412-320-7812.
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Out of nowhere came Pitt reserve forward Levon Kendall, an athletic 6-foot-9 sophomore, to chase down Yates and swat away his shot as time expired.
"That was a good point on that play, as far as Levon," Pitt coach Jamie Dixon said. "He could have quit, but he hustled back and saved two points. The biggest part about that was the hustle, not giving up on the play."
It was a prime example of Pitt's ability to recover from injury with another capable player. That was not lost on the No. 10 Panthers in their 73-42 victory over Coppin State Saturday, when they lost Graves for the second half and played without forward Mark McCarroll (concussion).
The Panthers cleared their bench, using five newcomers on the floor at the same time at one point. It was a sign that depth is going to be one of Pitt's greatest strengths.
"In some ways it is, but you don't want them all to go down and have all new guys," Dixon said. "Not too often do we have that much inexperience out there. I'd like to keep Carl (Krauser) or Yuri (Demetris) in there with those younger guys, just so it leads to them getting a little direction, a calming effect. Five new guys isn't something you want to do too often."
Pitt's bench accounted for 25 points, more than one-third of its scoring, against Coppin State. In fact, the Panthers' reserves outscored the Eagles' starters, 25-23.
Center Aaron Gray (nine points) and Kendall (seven) led the way. While it was nothing new for Gray, who is averaging 5.7 points per game, Kendall had scored only 14 points all season and was averaging 2.3 in seven games.
"Levon's played consistently well," Dixon said. "We have no concerns putting him in there."
Nor do the Panthers worry about using freshmen Ronald Ramon and Keith Benjamin for Graves, who re-injured a high ankle sprain that bothered him in the preseason. Graves could miss Thursday's game with Richmond.
"I think it's always good to throw a different combination in there when somebody's hurt, because it gives different guys an opportunity to play," Krauser said. "As long as those guys can go out there and play and show coach they can play when the lights are on, it's an opportunity for someone else."
Krauser noted that non-conference games will help new Panthers such as Benjamin, Ramon and John DeGroat, as well as redshirt freshman Dante Milligan, adjust to big-time basketball before Big East Conference play begins.
And it also helps veteran Panthers adapt to the newcomers.
"You have to learn to deal with the guys coming in," Krauser said. "It's never a burden. It's an opportunity. You have to be out there and feel comfortable with your teammates. If you're not comfortable with your teammates, you're not going to be successful."
