| 11 November 2011
Pitt opened up the regular season by earning their 150th win at the Petersen Event Center, 89-56 over Albany.
Ashton Gibbs was Ashton Gibbs. Twenty-one points for the senior. Just another day at the office. But the real star of the show was Travon Woodall, who began his career as an everyday starter with a bang:
Point guard Tray Woodall informed the Pitt athletic department this off-season that he wished to be known as "Tray" instead of "Travon."
He was onto something.
Woodall, in his first season as the full-time floor general for No. 10 Pitt, did a little bit of everything tonight.
The Paterson, N.J., native netted career-highs in points (25) and three-pointers (five), while dishing out 10 assists and grabbing six rebounds in his second career double-double. He also added two steals and a blocked shot in Pitt's 89-56 victory over Albany in the 2011-12 season opener.
Ok, Tray it is then. What a game from the redshirt junior, a guy who has received a lot of criticism, some deserved some undeserved. But tonight, he was masterful. He ran the offense beautifully. Between Woodall & Gibbs, the pair contributed 46 points and 17 assists. It's not an exaggeration to say that they were the offense tonight. Albany isn't exactly UConn, but wow, what a night for Pitt's guards.
And then there's Lamar Patterson. If it wasn't for Woodall's Herculean effort, Patterson would be the story of the game. The starting small forward is contributed a swiss army knife night with six points, seven rebounds and six assists. Cam Wright backed him up due to Moore's suspension, but I'd expect him to be the third option at small forward and the fourth at guard.
In front of Wright at the guard rotation may well be John "Flipp" Johnson, who looked composed in his first real game for the Panthers.
In the frontcourt, Taylor and Robinson got the start with Zanna and Birch coming off the bench. Interestingly, Talib played at center while Khem played at power forward, the opposite of what I was expecting. Birch looked like, well, a freshman. He was tentative and failed to contribute during his minutes. He seemed to be a half-step behind of where he needed to be, particularly when getting in position for a board. It happens. His athleticism impossible to deny and he'll get there as he gets more comfortable.
Durand Johnson and Malcolm Gilbert did not play despite Pitt's overwhelming lead. Gilbert apparently broke a finger during practice but could play if needed. With four other freshman on the roster, it wouldn't surprise me if Dixon plans to redshirt both them.
What a great night. The team was on fire. The Zoo was jumping. Welcome back, basketball.
Hail.
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