Pittsburgh Basketball: 5 takeaways from 2023-24 non-conference results

5. Jaland Lowe’s quiet good impact

Just about all of the rotation players have been mentioned but one who plays a key role under the radar is Lowe, the other freshman newcomer to the team. Through 12 games, the four-star prospect is averaging 4.1 ppg and 2.2 apg in 15 mpg off the bench.

Lowe is shooting just 31% from the field and 23% from deep so by no means has he been an offensive juggernaut. But the most important area for him has been the 26/13 assist-to-turnover ratio, which is great for a first-year player. He’s coming off a season-high six assists in a win over South Carolina State.

Pittsburgh has largely played three guards in the main rotation, with William Jeffress playing some minutes at the two in large lineups. The Panthers have largely avoided foul trouble with both Carrington and Leggett largely not being saddled on the bench. That’s going to change in league play, meaning that someone like Lowe is going to be needed at times.

Lowe doesn’t have the impact that Carrington does but there’s a good chance that he’s the starting point guard for Pittsburgh Basketball next season. He’s already gotten the “point guard” position handled when it comes to his playmaking for others and keeping the offense flowing. If the shots start falling too, the Panthers won’t have to worry when Carrington and Leggett are on the bench.