Men’s hoops preps for Delta Devils

Pitt coach Jamie Dixon knows a thing or two about hot starts.

And after starting 3-0 for the… Pitt coach Jamie Dixon knows a thing or two about hot starts.

And after starting 3-0 for the 10th consecutive year, Dixon and the Pitt men’s basketball team look to make it 4-0 against Mississippi Valley State tonight at the Petersen Events Center.

The Panthers, who have now won 22 consecutive home games against non-conference opponents, are playing a new, fast-paced offense not seen in the past few years.

But even though they’re running wild now, they know they can’t afford to look past this Delta Devil squad that won the Southwestern Athletic Conference last year.

Despite losing over the weekend to Ole’ Miss 97-63, the Devils have a talented team that’s picked to finish third in its league this season.

The Panthers, who are coming off a 69-58 win on Sunday against a dangerous Saint Louis team, will have to key on 6-foot-3-inch guard Stanford Speech – the Devils’ leading scorer last year with 12.3 points per game.

Saint Louis’ Kevin Lisch, a similar type of guard, gave the Panthers some trouble on Sunday night – scoring 13 points and providing four assists.

Dixon said that even though his team struggled a little bit against Saint Louis, he’s seen some good things on defense.

“I saw our defense improve in a lot of ways,” Dixon said. “They (Saint Louis) just made some plays.”

Dixon was also happy with the defensive play of guards Ronald Ramon and Levance Fields so far.

“They’re strong, they’re tough, they’re smart,” he said. “They’ve defended really well.”

Fields, a second-team All-Big East selection last year, is also effectively commanding the offense, and leads the team with 17 assists.

Ramon, a sharp shooter who can also switch to the point, is converting on nearly 43 percent of his 3-pointers, and averages 8.7 points per game.

Freshman center DeJuan Blair hasn’t disappointed either, averaging 15.3 points and 9.7 rebounds through his first three career games – earning himself Hispanic College Fund Challenge All-Tournament honors along with Fields and Young.

Dixon said even though a freshman is expected to improve drastically throughout the year, he’s happy with what he’s seen so far.

“All of our freshmen want to get better, and are willing to pay the price,” Dixon said.

But even with Blair showing off his power down low, and Fields managing the offense with ease, Sam Young has been the force for the Panthers. The dynamic power-forward snagged tournament MVP honors over the weekend after averaging 19.3 points and nine rebounds per. Young, who loves to run the floor and play a fast-paced style, appeared much more comfortable and confident in his new role as the go-to scorer.

Aside from the starters, Dixon said he expects to get good production from redshirt freshman Gilbert Brown off the bench. Despite shooting just 4 for 13 in his first three games, Dixon praised Brown’s athleticism, and said the points will eventually come.

“He’s got some versatility,” Dixon said. “It’s a nice luxury to have.”

Brown, who backs up senior Mike Cook at the small forward position, said he’s ready to take on whatever role Dixon gives him. whether it’s playing tight defense or putting points on the board.

“I’m just trying to do what I can for the team to win,” he said.

Brown added that by redshirting last year, he’s now better prepared to contribute and really make a difference.

“I was fortunate,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of improvement learning the fundamentals.”

Brown, who was nagged by a shoulder injury for a few days after the Indiana, Pa., scrimmage after colliding with Young on a rebound, said he’s ready to go, and insisted it wasn’t a big deal.

“I’m ready to play,” he said.

For Dixon, having a team with depth, including Tyrell Biggs and Keith Benjamin, who scored a career-high 16 points against Houston Baptist on Friday, is important.

“Not everybody expects themselves to have depth,” he said. “I do expect it.”