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Pittsburgh Basketball: 2019-20 keys for Panthers to beat West Virginia

By Tristan Freeman

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 14: Terrell Brown #21 of the Pittsburgh Panthers celebrates after an and one against the Florida State Seminoles at Petersen Events Center on January 14, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 14: Terrell Brown #21 of the Pittsburgh Panthers celebrates after an and one against the Florida State Seminoles at Petersen Events Center on January 14, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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LOUISVILLE, KY – JANUARY 26: Xavier Johnson #1 of the Pittsburgh Panthers dribbles the ball after a steal against Ryan McMahon #30 of the Louisville Cardinals in the first half of the game at KFC YUM! Center on January 26, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville won 66-51. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY – JANUARY 26: Xavier Johnson #1 of the Pittsburgh Panthers dribbles the ball after a steal against Ryan McMahon #30 of the Louisville Cardinals in the first half of the game at KFC YUM! Center on January 26, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville won 66-51. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

1. Production from the Panthers “Big 3”

Coming into the season, it was universally agreed that returning sophomore guards Xavier Johnson and Trey McGowens would be the catalysts for Pittsburgh’s offense. Turns out that Ryan Murphy is the leading scorer in the first three games for the Panthers. The JUCO transfer had a season-high 28 points off the bench in the loss to Nicholls but has been a lethal threat from three-point range (9/19) so far.

But despite the emergence of a third scorer, the Panthers have still struggled at times collectively. That’s because it has been an issue getting everyone going. McGowens had a 25-point game but just 10 points in the other two. And Johnson has really been off so far, averaging just 10 ppg on 30% shooting from the field. After an All-ACC campaign, he seems to be forcing it a bit much.

These are the only three double-digit scorers for Pittsburgh Basketball, so against better opponents like West Virginia, they’ll all have to have solid games. That includes going for 12+ points on efficient percentages, without getting in foul trouble. This team has little to no depth to begin with so if any of them is out of the game, that makes it easier for the Mountaineers to focus their efforts on the guards that are on the court.

Murphy joining the starting lineup in the last game shows the need for Coach Jeff Capel to have as much offense on the court as possible. Assuming foul trouble/injuries don’t come into play, don’t be surprised if the trio of Murphy/McGowens/Johnson plays 35+ minutes in this contest.

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