PITT HOOP TIDBITS

One of the strengths of the Pittsburgh program in their run of success is they always seem to have good players willing to wait in the wings for their turn. When their turn is called, the are ready and they produce and when their roles increase, the cycle continues. On Monday, a Fresh Nasir Robinson Gave Pitt a Boost (Observer-Reporter) off the bench with an effective five minute run helped Pitt put away Syracuse.

Another player knowing his role and waiting his turn is redshirt sophomore Gilbert Brown. While injuries has dwarfed some of his progress and numbers, Harrisburg's Brown Has Embraced His Role as Pitt's Top Reserve (Patriot-News) and brings an impressive level of athletic ability and defense to the wing off the bench.

One drawback with Sam Young playing more on the wing is his lack of trips to the foul line, which have been noticeably absent in Big East play. Against Syracuse, the Panther's Young Ends Free-Throw Sabatical (Tribune Review) by getting to the line eight times, connecting on six. He actually made more in that game than he attempted in the previous five combined. A sign that he got back to taking the ball to the basket and finding more points in the paint rather than hunting perimeter jumpers.