Men’s hoops has talent running show

The good news: Pitt only lost one key member of its backcourt from last year’s 25-8 squad…. The good news: Pitt only lost one key member of its backcourt from last year’s 25-8 squad.

Now for the bad news: it happened to be undisputed team leader Carl Krauser.

This year’s team will rely on a young, but tremendously talented group of guards to finally get Pitt past the Sweet 16.

“I think all of us have something to bring to the table that’s going to help,” sophomore guard Levance Fields said of the returning guards. “It’s all of us. We all bring something different to the table that’s going to help the team.”

Leading the way for the Panthers is senior combo-guard Antonio Graves.

Although his numbers last year (5 points per game, 2.3 rebounds per game, 1.5 assists per game) were down slightly from the previous season, he had a crucial role down the stretch of the regular season and in the Big East tournament, including an 18-point performance against Villanova to put Pitt in the Big East championship game.

He is the only senior in the backcourt, and the younger backcourt players will likely look to him for leadership. The other three seniors, centers Aaron Gray and Doyle Hudson and forward Levon Kendall, all play up front.

“These four seniors will really provide a great deal of leadership,” head coach Jamie Dixon said. “I do worry about the toughness, tenacity and the communication that Carl brought to practice [being gone], but I think we have a group of guys that will keep it up.”

The duo of juniors, Ronald Ramon and Keith Benjamin, will see a lot of playing time this season. After two years of primarily coming off the bench, both will be in position to win themselves starting jobs in the backcourt.

Ramon is recognized for his excellent outside shooting and tough defense. He connected on 42 percent of his 3-point attempts last season and made a total of 49 3s on the year. He also averaged 2.2 assists to go along with his eight points per game. His 16 points were pivotal in the Panthers’ first round NCAA Tournament win over Kent State.

“With the group of guys we have this year, we understand that no matter what the ranking is, we have to go out there and play every single game,” Ramon said. “We’ll welcome each challenge individually.”

Defensively, Ramon was often assigned to the opposing team’s best shooter and consistently held him in check. His quick hands and great instincts have also contributed to his 46 steals over the past two seasons.

Benjamin is an exciting guard who loves to attack the basket. He is known around the Big East for his flair and dramatic finishes.

Last season, he averaged nearly three rebounds and five points per contest, including a 16-point effort against Cincinnati and 15 points against Providence in the following game. He will have a much greater role on offense with the loss of Krauser.

The difference-maker for the Pitt backcourt will be junior Mike Cook, a transfer from East Carolina University. Cook had to sit out last season per NCAA rules following his transfer.

He averaged an outstanding 15 points, four rebounds and three assists as a sophomore for the Pirates. The coaching staff and fans alike are very exciting to see what Cook can offer the Panthers. He will rotate between guard and forward.

“I like transfers,” Dixon said. “You give them a year to sit out and they get better. If it’s a good year, they’ll grow and become a better player.”

Stepping in at point guard will be Fields. Fields averaged 6.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg and 2.2 apg. He is a tremendous ball handler with an excellent first step who has already become a favorite of the Oakland Zoo for his flashy play.

“I think we have five guards that can match up with any guards in the league,” Fields said. “With depth like that, it’s going to be great.

“I did a lot of running and weight lifting in the off-season, so that I could last longer. This year I think I’m in better condition and that’s going to help all of us.”

Although he will primarily be expected to get his fellow guards, as well as Gray and Kendall, involved offensively, Fields has shown flashes of brilliant shooting as well. He averaged 14 points in Pitt’s two NCAA Tournament contests last spring.