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Pittsburgh Basketball: Jamarius Burton has been what Panthers needed

Jan 15, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Jamarius Burton (11) shoots against Louisville Cardinals forward Malik Williams (5) during the first half at Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Jamarius Burton (11) shoots against Louisville Cardinals forward Malik Williams (5) during the first half at Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

There wasn’t a lot known of how Jamarius Burton would fit at Pittsburgh Basketball. So far, he’s been the perfect addition to the program.

There were several newcomers to the Pittsburgh Basketball roster via the transfer portal this offseason, most notably, Mo Gueye from Stony Brook and Jamarius Burton from Texas Tech. Both were projected starters on paper and filled needs on the roster.

Unfortunately for Burton, his start with the Panthers was delayed due to a knee procedure that occurred a month from the season and he had to wait until the third game against UNC Wilmington to make his debut. Still recovering, Burton came off the bench for the first few games but due to absences from guards Ithiel Horton and Nike Sibande, there was next to no depth in the backcourt, so there were plenty of shots for the former Red Raider to take.

The 6’4 guard got his first start of the season against Minnesota but he struggled overall, scoring six points on 2/11 shooting from the field. But that would end up being the last time Burtron would score in single-digits for the season.

Now looking fully healthy and comfortable in his role as the co-lead guard alongside Femi Odukale, Burton has excelled. In the last 10 games, the senior guard is averaging 15.5 ppg, 2.1 apg, and 4.2 rpg, including three games of at least 20 points. That includes his most recent performance of 20 points and a team-high eight rebounds in Pittsburgh’s best game of the season, a 65-52 victory at home over Louisville to improve to 7-10 overall and 2-4 in ACC play.

Burton emerging as a double-digit scorer has been huge for a team with not too many capable shot-makers on the roster. He’s been lethal from mid-range and solid from three-point range, making 33% on the season. The only thing that can be criticized with the transfer guard is his overall shooting percentage and shot selection.

However, I’ll defend Burton on that because this is a team that doesn’t have many “willing” shooters from the perimeter. Odukale is most confident when driving to the basket but hesitate with jump shots, while William Jeffress has struggled all season shooting. And recently awarded scholarship player Onyebuchi Ezeakudo in on the court for mainly his ball-handling and strong defense.

That puts Burton in a tough spot at times on offense to create, so naturally, his percentages will be down. But he makes up for it by being a consistent contributor and more importantly, being nearly automatic from the free throw line, shooting a career-high 92% on 44/48 overall. That may be the best thing he’s brought to Pitt, as the team was ranked in the bottom-5 nationally in that category just a couple of weeks into the season. They’re now a more respectable 269th at 68% and Burton is the go-to guard in crunch time, evident by his game-winner against St. John’s.

Besides his scoring and free throw shooting, Burton has brought that “junkyard dog” mentality on defense, something the team has had to rely on with the offense having its struggled outside of star center John Hugley. And ever since the start of the season, the senior’s leadership has been heaped praise upon by both head coach Jeff Capel and numerous players on record.

After losing both Horton and Sibande, combined with losses to Monmouth, UMBC, and The Citadel in the non-conference, Pittsburgh Basketball could’ve easily given up and been the doormat of the ACC. But thanks to Burton’s play and leadership, they have two wins in league play and have been much more competitive than expected. The senior leader may be second on the team in scoring at 13.0 ppg but an argument can be made that Jamarius Burton may be the MVP of the Panthers at this point in the season.

He’s been one transfer that has worked out perfectly on his new stop.