Pittsburgh Basketball: 3 biggest storylines for Panthers in 2020 offseason

GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 11: Teammates Gerald Drumgoole Jr. #4, Terrell Brown #21, Xavier Johnson #1, and Eric Hamilton #0 of the Pittsburgh Panthers react following a play against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during their game in the second round of the 2020 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum on March 11, 2020 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

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CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – JANUARY 08: Xavier Johnson #1 of the Pittsburgh Panthers (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Xavier Johnson looking to rebound from down year

After being an All-Freshman ACC player in the previous season, Johnson produced on average 11.7 ppg, 4.9 apg, and 3.7 in 2019-20. For a sophomore, those numbers aren’t bad at all. However, compared to putting up 15.5 ppg on much better shooting numbers in his first year and having a number of spectacular individual performances, it felt that the 6’3 point guard didn’t take the next step in his game.

Part of it had to do with the backcourt cohesion or lack thereof. Johnson had to share the backcourt with fellow guard Trey McGowens and Ryan Murphy, who was a newcomer from the JUCO level. Unfortunately, the trio struggled all season with only one ball to go around. While listed as a “combo guard”, McGowens looks to be more of a facilitator of an offense, while the ball tended to stop once Murphy got it.

Things have figured itself out this offseason, with McGowens transferring over to Nebraska, while Murphy went to Tulane, before opting to leave college altogether and go pro. Replacement them in the backcourt is Delaware transfer Ithiel Horton, who sat out last season after joining the Panthers. Three-star freshman Femi Odukale, Jr. will provide backup for Johnson at the point guard position, while Miami (Oh) transfer guard Nike Sibande can play either the two or three-spots on the court.

There is no question this time around who is leading the Panthers offense. Johnson will have the ball in his hands as much as possible and unlike two years ago, will have a surrounding cast of players to benefit from. But that also means that there are no excuses on why the junior can’t become an All-ACC player in 2020-21.

Around this time a year ago, there were thoughts that Johnson could vault to the NBA Draft after a breakthrough sophomore campaign. That didn’t happen. But now, with an extra year of experience, look for the talented playmaker to make a case for best point guard in the ACC next season. Or at least, have the stats to make that case for him.

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