Pittsburgh Basketball: What to watch for in Panthers 2021-22 team scrimmage

Pittsburgh Basketball is hosting an open scrimmage to the public. What are some things to watch during the short game?

We’re just a month away from the 2021-22 season and many programs are getting their respective fans excited and ready to buy tickets for the upcoming games. One great way to get fans excited and used to the new players is an “scrimmage”, with the team splliting up into two and showcasing what they improved on in the offseason.

Pittsburgh Basketball is no different, as they have one set for the weekend of October 9th in the afternoon. After recently having their first set of practices and media availability, there’s a lot to look forward to with a completely revamped Panthers roster and some new faces via the transfer portal this offseason.

You can’t take much away from an exhibition game within a team but with 24 minutes to work with, there should be some things to keep an eye on at least. Here are three specific topics I will have on my mind heading into the scrimmage.

1. John Hugley’s impact on the frontcourt

The former top-100 center prospect played seven games last season before a suspension ended things for Hugley’s freshman year. However, the legal troubles are past him and the 6’9 big man offers Pittsburgh its best true post player in years.

For the Panthers to have any hope of being competitive, they’ll need frontcourt production so seeing how Hugley performs, along with the sets and plays called for the bigs will be very interesting to watch.

2. How the ball-handlers lead the offenses

In the practice sets on opening day, it was Texas Tech transfer Jamarius Burton that was running the offense at the point guard position. He’s a very capable ball-handler dating back to his days at Wichita State and looks to be one of the leaders of the Panthers.

He’ll be the lead guard for one of the teams, while sophomore playmaker Femi Odukale will likely be on the other side. He had some breakout performances towards the end of last season and is the only other true ball-handler on the roster besides Burton. But will one clearly outplay the other and warrant a starting spot at point?

3. Overall sophomore class play

I mentioned both Hugley and Odukale already but there are three other sophomore players that the Panthers are looking to be part of the rotation this season. One is 6’7 wing William Jeffress, Jr., the youngest player in all of college basketball last season and showed some agressiveness in looking for his shot at practice.

Forwards Noah Collier and Max Amadasun will be playing behind Hugley and Stony Brook transfer Mo Gueye but with the team having more of a post presence, that gives them opportunities to have an impact as well.

The transfers are going to get rightfully a lot of attention but Pittsburgh needs its returning pieces to take a major step in their development. If one of Collier, Amadasun, or Jeffress and be an impact sophomore piece, this will be very helpful for the team this season.