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

By Tristan Freeman

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 16: Femi Odukale #2 of the Pittsburgh Panthers reacts after making a three-point shot against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half of their game at the Dean E. Smith Center on February 16, 2022 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Pittsburgh won 76-67. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 16: Femi Odukale #2 of the Pittsburgh Panthers reacts after making a three-point shot against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half of their game at the Dean E. Smith Center on February 16, 2022 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Pittsburgh won 76-67. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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Blake Hinson Mississippi Rebels (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Blake Hinson Mississippi Rebels (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Power forward

Projected starter: Blake Hinson (24 mpg)

After the departure of Mo Gueye, the power forward position was wide open and to some degree, it still open for competition. The most proven option right now is Blake Hinson, who was a starter at Ole Miss for the first two years but hasn’t played since the 2019-20 season due to injuries and parting ways with Iowa State at the start of last year.

Hinston is a 6’7 undersized combo forward that averaged 9.1 ppg and 3.7 apg in 58 starts and 27 mpg in two years. He reached double figures in 24 of those games, including a career-high of 26 points as a freshman. He’s a career 33% shooter from deep and the hope is that he can space the floor for a 4-out offense and allow Hugley to have all the room inside at center.

The concern though is that Hinson has never been an elite rebounder and this hypothetical starting lineup with the three guards would be fairly weak both on the boards and in interior defense. But it’s also the best offensive lineup for Pittsburgh and after last season’s problems, it makes sense to go that route and hope that the deficiencies aren’t as bad.

Reserve: Jorge Díaz Graham (12 mpg), William Jeffress (6 mpg)

After a rough sophomore season, Jeffress could be the player that either gets a big role off the bench or falls completely out of the rotation. The 6’7 guard/forward was bad offensively, shooting under 30% from the field and under 20% from deep. But he was a solid defender and with better scoring lineups surrounding him this season, can focus on being a glue guy and having a positive impact.

The wildcard on the roster with be Jorge Díaz Graham, a 6’11 forward a top-100 prospect that is capable of playing the four-spot. He can stretch the floor and shoot from deep and has the highest potential long-term. If he plays well immediately I can see him getting more minutes. His size and potential would be a great pairing with Hugely and can solve the rebounding issue.

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