Pittsburgh Basketball: 3 takeaways from 2021-22 team scrimmage matchup

74 points were scored in the preseason scrimmage for Pittsburgh Basketball. What were some things to take away from the matchup?

Many college basketball programs were taking part in some “scrimmages” in the past couple of weeks, including Pittsburgh Basketball. With a completed revamped roster, it was going to be an interesting look at who the key players will be for the 2021-22 season.

That became more of a question where Jamarius Burton, a transfer from Texas Tech and projected starter/6th man on the roster undergone a knee procedure recently and will be out for 4-6 weeks. The season begins in five so his status for the season-opener against The Citadel is in doubt.

So who will step up in his absence? That remains to be seen but we got a good look at the current roster for this scrimmage, as the Panther players played on two different teams, switching up at the break. After over 70 points were scored combined in 24 minutes of action, here were some of the biggest takeaways from the exhibition game.

1. Mo Gueye’s impact will be felt

The Stony Brook transfer has been a standout so far since arriving at Pittsburgh and was in the scrimmage. He led the team with 12 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks and was all over the court. Whichever team he was on was winning and his hustle plays were noticeable, whether it was blocking bigs and guards inside or getting multiple offensive rebounds.

The 6’9 forward also made a couple of three-pointers and showed that he can be a viable stretch forward option for Pittsburgh. Considering his lack of weight, playing at the four-spot may be the best position for Gueye. But he showed that he can play anywhere on the court and have a position impact.

2. Shooting will have its good and bad days

From a percentage standpoint, Pittsburgh Basketball was in the middle of the pack last season overall (34%) but ranked in the bottom third nationally in both attempts and makes. And only one player made more than 25 three-pointers in all of last season (Ithiel Horton). The hope is that there will be more players capable of shooting at a consistent percentage outside of Horton and the good news is that there are lots of players who seem willing to take it, with seven different players making a three-pointer in the scrimmage.

The bad news is that the results have been mixed. In the 24 minutes, a total of 31 three-pointers were attempted, with 10 going down (32%). However, outside of a red-hot stretch where four were made in the row, Pitt shot 6-27 in the other 23 minutes. The Panthers will need to show more consistency from deep once the games start but at least they’re aggressive in looking for their shots.

3. Onyebuchi Ezeakudo can play if needed

With Burton potentially out for the first few games of the season, the ball-handling will fall squarely on sophomore guard Femi Odukale. But his backup very well could be Ezeakudo, a 6’0 senior walk-on who has played 23 games in three years and scored 13 total points. But he’s an athlete that can more than hold his own on the court and proved that in this scrimmage.

As the lead guard on the other team opposite of Odukale, Ezeakudo was able to facilitate the offense just fine, scoring eight points and making two three-pointers in the game as well. If he needs to play 10 minutes when Odukale is off the floor to start the season, it won’t be a big drop-off at all for the Panthers, which might be the best set of news once the news of Burton’s injury was announced.