Pittsburgh Basketball: Projected minutes and rotation with Dior Johnson on board

Small forward

Projected starter: Jamarius Burton (10 mpg)

If you look at the minute allocation, you can see who I have primarily playing at the wing. But to start out the 2022-23 season I see the 5th-year senior Burton getting the nod in a three-guard offense. After starting the season late after a knee injury, the former Wichita State and Texas Tech guard averaged a career-high 12.5 ppg in 35 mpg and made nearly 90% from the free throw line.

The 6’4 guard is a solid defensive player and can defend anyone on the perimeter and can create his own offense on the other end. He also can be a quality 6th man option later in the season due to his versatility and will be a key piece to the team, regardless of where he plays and if he starts.

Reserve: Nike Sibande (23 mpg), Greg Elliott (7 mpg) – In case of emergency/injury: Cashius McNeilly, Nate Santos

Sibande missed all of last season due to an ACL injury suffered during an exhibition game and typically, it takes around 12 months for a player to fully recover. So there’s a chance that the 6’4 guard could be ready for opening night but the addition of Johnson allows Pitt to now be able to slowly bring him along. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s on a minutes-restriction in the non-conference before getting to 20+ in ACC play.

And of course, there are still questions as to how effective Sibande will be. He had a couple of 20+ point games towards the end of the 2020-21 season but eligibility issues and now injuries have severely held him back in a Pitt uniform. Yet he did average 15 ppg at Miami (OH) and Sibande can create his own offense so if he can have a big impact, that may be what makes the Panthers into an NCAA Tournament-caliber team.