The preseason chatter about the 2004 Pitt men’s basketball team has been based around the new… The preseason chatter about the 2004 Pitt men’s basketball team has been based around the new recruits, but returning players showed off their skills in a Blue-Gold scrimmage during Fan Fest on Saturday at the Petersen Events Center.

Although the score read 59-54 in favor of the Gold team, head coach Jamie Dixon said the day was all about getting the guys acclimated and ready for the upcoming season, for which they are all anxious.

“I was dying to get back in front of the fans and get this thing rolling,” junior guard Carl Krauser said. “It’s always a pleasure to come out there and play there in front of the fans.”

New recruit Keith Benjamin, who scored six points in the scrimmage, felt the same as Krauser and said it really hit him when he ran out onto the court under, with all eyes on him and his team.

“You look around and see a lot of people that you see on campus,” Benjamin said. “And you know, you really got to go out there and play so they say nice things to you in the dorms.”

Also expecting compliments in the dorm is freshman guard Ronald Ramon, who finished the scrimmage with 10 points, including a three-pointer.

According to Krauser, the freshmen are learning the Panther style of play, which is tough, defensive, in-your-face type games.”

It wasn’t just the freshmen grabbing the attention of the fans at the Pete. Forward Aaron Gray led the entire scrimmage in points and rebounds, playing on both the Gold and Blue teams.

Down low in the paint, Gray fought to score a total of 23 points and pull down eight rebounds on both teams. He was eight for 11 from the floor and seven for eight from the free-throw line.

Dixon credited Gray’s success to his off-season work outs.

“Aaron has changed his whole body,” Dixon said, explaining that Gray lost 33 pounds from last season. “He has an unbelievable work ethic.”

Also making noise in the front court was forward Levon Kendall, who scored 10 points in the scrimmage. He also pulled down seven rebounds and assisted on five scores. Six of Kendall’s 10 points came on two three-point shots. He proved that he will be a threat from anywhere on the court, down low to beyond the arc.

Forward Mark McCarroll also showed his range, hitting three of his five three-point shots. He pulled down six rebounds and finished the scrimmage with 11 points.

As in years prior, Pitt has multiple offensive threats who can step up any given night. Krauser said the team is gelling, and it feels like a family.

“Everybody looks after each other, and we make sure everybody gets better,” Krauser said.

Pitt will play two exhibition games before it tips off its season against Howard at 7 p.m. on Nov. 20 at the Pete. The first exhibition game is Saturday against neighboring Carnegie Mellon at 7 p.m.