Pittsburgh Basketball: 2021-22 season preview and outlook for Panthers
Projected starters for Pittsburgh Basketball in 2021-22 (assuming full health)
PG – SO Femi Odukale
2020-21 stats: 6.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.2 apg
The 6’5 guard has to play behind Xavier Johnson for most of last season off the bench but was still effective whenever part of the offseason last season. In four games where he had double-digit shot attempts, Odukale averaged 18.0 ppg, including a season-high 28 points versus Miami in the ACC Tournament once he became the starting point guard.
Odukale has the size, skillset, and playmaking ability to be the lead guard for the Panthers and has been tabbed as a breakout candidate this offseason by the national media. If the sophomore guard can average around 15 ppg, that gives them a much-needed offensive boost and answers one of the biggest questions they have on the roster.
SG/PG – SR Jamarius Burton
2020-21 stats (at Texas Tech): 4.3 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.2 apg
Burton was buried in the backcourt at Texas Tech last season once Mac McClung arrived, becoming a defensive stopped off the bench. But the 6’4 guard averaged around 10 ppg in two seasons as a starter at Wichita State and showed that he can be a starting-caliber guard. He also averaged 3.4 apg with the Shockers and is more than capable of being a facilitator of the offense as well.
Burton and Odukale can play together on the court without much issue and the former Red Raider will likely be tasked with guarding the opposing team’s best scorer. His defense, ball-handling, and most important, veteran leadership will offset the void left by Toney and Johnson in the backcourt.
SF – SR Nike Sibande
2020-21 stats: 6.9 ppg. 3.0 rpg. 1.5 apg (14 games)
Sibande’s season was derailed, to begin with after not getting a waiver after transferring from Miami (OH) to start the season. He couldn’t find his spot in the offense until the end of the year, where the 6’5 guard got to start and had games of 23 and 24 points to show his potential as a pure scorer.
Sibande averaged 15.0 ppg in three seasons with the Redhawks and is capable of being a go-to option. He’s a creative shot-maker and shot 44% from deep in limited attempts. Someone who can play at both the 2 and 3-spots on the court, look for the 5th-year senior to have a major impact on the offense.
PF – SR Mouhamadou Gueye
2020-21 stats (at Stony Brook): 9.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 3.1 bpg
The America East Defensive Player of the Year was one of the top shot blockers in the country last season, including eight in a game against UMBC, along with a season-high 17 points. The 6’9 forward is a top-tier athlete that can move all over the court and guard just about anyone. Gueye is also an underrated three-point shooter, capable of spreading the floor.
Gueye being able to play the power forward spot instead of center will benefit him and the Panthers on both ends, as he won’t have to guard much bigger frontcourt players. He’s not going to have major stats like 20+ points and 10+ rebounds but this is a player that will have a big impact on both ends just on pure effort and hustle alone.
C – SO John Hugley
2020-21 stats: 5.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg (7 games)
The former top-100 prospect had a solid freshman start last season until he was suspended for off-the-court issues. Hugley is back now, providing the kind of low-post presence the program hasn’t ever had in the Jeff Capel era. At 6’9 and 240-250 pounds, Hugley is a skilled big man that can score both inside and out and is comfortable shooting from mid-range and beyond.
The frontcourt duo of Hugley and Gueye provides athleticism and spacing on offense and plenty of size on the other end. If we view Champagnie as a wing, then this starting frontcourt will be a massive upgrade over what the Panthers have had before, taking the pressure off of the guards to provide 90% of the total offense.
Injury news
Jamarius Burton underwent a knee procedure around a month ago, with a timetable to return set around 4-6 weeks. That would be around the second week of November, potentially missing 2-4 games. Under that assumption, look for Sibande to slide over to the shooting guard position, with the wing spot up for grabs, with a couple of players in the mix.