Graves leads Panthers

With a little less than nine minutes left in the first half of Pitt’s Blue-Gold scrimmage,… With a little less than nine minutes left in the first half of Pitt’s Blue-Gold scrimmage, Antonio Graves missed his first jumper.

Seven seconds later, he got another chance. Mike Cook got the offensive rebound and kicked it back out to Graves, who calmly drained a 3.

That may not sound like much, but it’s an important step for Graves. Last year, he saw his playing time drop significantly and his role reduced. But something is different this season. Now a senior, Graves knows his time to make an impact is running out.

“I have something not to prove to the coaches, not to prove to my team, but to prove to myself,” Graves said. “I’ve been here four years, I’m a senior and it’s time I step up and show my leadership and my maturity.”

And Graves showed that leadership in Saturday’s scrimmage. He was the main reason why the Blue team won 68-59. He made 10 out of 12 of his shots. He made all four of his 3-point attempts. He scored a game-high 31 points — the first time he’s scored more than 30 in a single game.

The difference in Graves is noticeable. He sees it. His teammates see it. They both know he has the talent, but ask Graves what’s different about him, and he’ll only give you one word — confidence.

“I think I’ve always had the ability to do so, it’s just building my mental aspect of the game and continuing to work hard and apply it out there,” Graves said. “Probably I’m not too big on the radar right now, but that’s not my focus. I’m just trying to be a major contributor to my team.”

The team feels the same way about Graves. Sophomore Levance Fields battled with Graves all night and saw the difference as well.

“Confidence … he’s not hanging his head if he misses a shot or makes a bad play, [He’s] not tanking, just continuing to play knowing he’s going to make the next play.”

With the graduation of Carl Krauser last season, Graves knew somebody had to step up. He dedicated his off-season to improving but not pushing himself too far.

“I had a good off-season. I feel like in past years I’ve outworked myself but now I feel good.”

Graves even worked out with some NBA players in Las Vegas. According to Graves, that was a big step in building his confidence.

“It was nice to be around those guys,” Graves said. “Chauncey Billups was there, Antoine Walker — a lot of great guys, so I got a chance to talk to them, and they told me you just have to have confidence. They told me I was a good player, but that I just have to go out there and do it.”

“I think that built his confidence up a little more,” Fields said. “It’s his last go around, all the chips are in, so I think that has him motivated.”

That motivation is something that the Panthers want to embody. The team’s drive is a big part of why the players all believe that Pitt is a serious national contender.

“We have all the offensive weapons, but if we lack on defense, we’re going to lose some games,” Graves said. “But if we can fuse the two together, we could be a Final Four team. We have to accept the challenge and play like the underdog.”

Graves played that way Saturday. So did Fields. The sophomore point guard scored 22 points and battled Graves all night.

“He’s tough,” Graves said of Fields. “He’s always tough and we go against each other every day in practice. It’s a tough job playing point guard. You have to make a lot of tough decisions.”

With Ronald Ramon out of the game with a minor ankle sprain, Fields took on some of the extra shooting responsibilities — a decision he made long before Ramon was injured.

“I’m just out there having fun,” Fields said. “I was going to shoot the ball regardless.”

Fields and Graves combined for 53 points — a little less than half of the game’s total. But Graves doesn’t want or need the spotlight on him.

“I’m not sure what coach [Jamie Dixon] has as far as lineups go. It doesn’t matter if I start or not, I’m just ready if he needs me.”

NOTES—Aaron Gray scored 13 points on 5-of-12 shooting and tallied seven rebounds … Freshman Gilbert Brown has mononucleosis and did not play.