Kendall receives first start in win

Levon Kendall’s black T-shirt that he wore in the post-game press conference of Pitt’s 76-69… Levon Kendall’s black T-shirt that he wore in the post-game press conference of Pitt’s 76-69 win over Syracuse read “6’10” and yes.”

His height is no question, but the latter part of the phrase is up for interpretation.

To opposing teams, it could mean, “And yes, he’ll knock down the open 3-pointer over your 2-3 zone.”

Or it could mean, “And yes, he’ll steal the ball from you.”

Maybe it means, “And yes, he’ll swat away your shot into the second row.”

But most likely, it means, “And yes, he and his team will beat you.”

Kendall, a Vancouver, British Columbia, native, made his first start as a Pitt Panther Saturday night and recorded nine points — all on 3-pointers.

Before tip-off, when the Petersen Events Center went dark and the spotlight was placed on the first starter to be announced, the crowd went crazy.

“Number 14, Levon Kendall,” announcer Joe DeStio shouts.

“He doesn’t seem to be fazed by too much,” head coach Jamie Dixon said. “He doesn’t’ change emotion very much. He’s pretty steady. I’m real happy for him.”

So was the Oakland Zoo, with their hands raised high and an “Air Canada” sign furiously waving in the air.

“It’s obviously a pretty exciting experience, you know” Kendall said. “I was basically just trying to keep pretty even keel. I didn’t want to get too over-excited. I was trying not to get too caught up in the moment and just stay focused … It was definitely a thrill.”

Pitt found itself down 17 points, 22-5, with 10:31 remaining in the first half before Kendall, and the Panthers, went on a 24-9 run to end the half.

Out of the locker room, Kendall hit his third 3-pointer to bring Pitt within three points of Syracuse. Although the 3-pointer was his last points of the game, he was part of some big-scoring plays. He attempted 3-pointers later that were rebounded and put back for a quick two points. Chevon Troutman was on the other end of two identical plays starting with a Kendall missed 3-pointer.

Kendall shot from the right wing, and Troutman swooped in from the low post to the right of the basket, grabbing the rebound while shooting the ball into the basket in one swift motion.

This is the third game in which Kendall has let his presence be known. At St. John’s, he came in for an unproductive Mark McCarroll and scored six points, while pulling down four rebounds in his 15 minutes of play. Pitt lost the game, but saw a potential in its talented sophomore forward.

At UConn, Kendall played for 20 minutes and recorded three points. However, nothing was bigger than the block he made at the end of the game to keep UConn guard Denham Brown from hitting a go-ahead layup.

Again, against Syracuse, Kendall was more than just an offensive weapon. He was strong on the defensive end.

“Levon was tremendous defensively, as well as around the ball,” Dixon said.

Kendall came away with five rebounds, one assist and a steal against the Orange.

“He’s played well in the times he’s been out there,” Dixon said. “He’s doing a great job. He’s smart. He always seems to be in the right place at the right time. He’s a good shooter. He does a lot of things well.”

And yes, he’s 6 feet 10 inches tall.