While many of us were distracted with Cincy-WVU or thinking ahead to this weekend's buffet of great sports TV, the Pitt Panthers officially opened their 2009-10 campaign at the Pete against Wofford. And it wasn't particularly pretty.
Down by as many as 13 in the second half, the Panthers rallied behind 6'10" junior Gary McGhee, who scored two huge baskets on offensive rebounds down the stretch, to beat the Terriers, a veteran team returning all five starters. Wofford went 16-14 out of the Southern Conference a season ago and is picked to finish second in their conference this season.
It's been noted many times that Pitt is starting five new players, with Dejuan Blair and Sam Young moving on to the NBA, Tyrell Biggs playing in Greece, and Levance Fields lacing up his sneakers in Russia. The only returning starter from last year is Jermaine Dixon, who is out with a broken foot. Gilbert Brown is also unable to play right now due to an academic suspension. At this point, they're missing about as many guys as the Penguins, and like the Penguins, it shows.
The Panthers were led offensively by Brad Wanamaker, who had 15 points, and freshman Dante Taylor, who added 13 off the bench. McGhee led Pitt with eight rebounds.
Pitt resumes play on Tuesday with a 5:30 start against Tony Kornheiser's Binghamton Bearcats, which qualified for their first NCAA appearance last season (a 15-point loss to Duke).
Down by as many as 13 in the second half, the Panthers rallied behind 6'10" junior Gary McGhee, who scored two huge baskets on offensive rebounds down the stretch, to beat the Terriers, a veteran team returning all five starters. Wofford went 16-14 out of the Southern Conference a season ago and is picked to finish second in their conference this season.
It's been noted many times that Pitt is starting five new players, with Dejuan Blair and Sam Young moving on to the NBA, Tyrell Biggs playing in Greece, and Levance Fields lacing up his sneakers in Russia. The only returning starter from last year is Jermaine Dixon, who is out with a broken foot. Gilbert Brown is also unable to play right now due to an academic suspension. At this point, they're missing about as many guys as the Penguins, and like the Penguins, it shows.
The Panthers were led offensively by Brad Wanamaker, who had 15 points, and freshman Dante Taylor, who added 13 off the bench. McGhee led Pitt with eight rebounds.
Pitt resumes play on Tuesday with a 5:30 start against Tony Kornheiser's Binghamton Bearcats, which qualified for their first NCAA appearance last season (a 15-point loss to Duke).
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