Knight and Page ready to lead Pitt

Last basketball season, Pitt’s impressive 29-6 record came as a shock to the college… Last basketball season, Pitt’s impressive 29-6 record came as a shock to the college basketball world.

With Associated Press Coach of the Year Ben Howland in charge, all five starters and nine letter winners returning, a new basketball facility and numerous preseason accolades, the men’s basketball program hopes to surpass all expectations.

Much of the 2001-2002 season’s success can be attributed to the Panthers’ backcourt, led by an onslaught of poised, experienced guards, which is considered one of the best in the nation.

Leading Pitt is senior point guard Brandin Knight, who had a breakout season last year.

Starting in all 35 games, Knight averaged a team-high 15.6 points per game, 7.2 assists, 2.3 steals and 4.8 rebounds. Also, Knight’s assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.2 was second best in the Big East.

A three-year starter, Knight also made his mark on the Pitt record books last season. In the first round of the NCAA tournament against Central Connecticut State, he broke the single-season assist record and later finished with 251 assists for the season.

Knight moved into 23rd place on the Panthers’ all-time scoring list with 1,070 points and also ranks third in career assists with 576.

His leadership and skill running the floor earned him many postseason awards, such as Big East co-Player of the Year, with Connecticut’s Caron Butler, Big East Most Improved Player and an Associated Press All-American third team nomination.

This is the first time since 1988, with center Charles Smith and forward Jerome Lane, that Pitt has produced a player receiving any national attention.

During the summer Knight had arthroscopic surgery to remove floating cartilage from his right knee.

But at Midnight Madness, which Knight did not actively participate in, he assured fans that the knee felt “good.” Knight has been practicing and will be ready for the upcoming season.

Knight is expected to make an even bigger impact in Pitt basketball this season. The coaches have chosen him as the 2002-2003 Big East Preseason Player of the Year.

Athlon Magazine named Knight as a preseason Second Team All-American selection., and has also been an early consideration for the John Wooden Player of the Year award.

“Playing with Brandin is a lot of fun and I get to learn a lot,” redshirt freshman Carl Krauser said. “He is a smart player and a good point guard.”

Playing alongside Knight is 6-foot-3-inch junior shooting guard, Julius Page.

With 12.2 points per game, Page was second on the team in scoring behind Knight. He also started in every game in the Panthers’ record-breaking season, grabbing 3.6 rebounds and giving out 2.2 assists per game.

Page is also known across the Big East for his defense. He is part of the reason Pitt was ranked first in the conference in scoring defense with 60.9 points per game.

During the NCAA tournament last season, Page emerged as a powerful offensive force. In the overtime loss to Kent State, he scored a team-high 18 points.

Against California, a win that sent the Panthers to the Sweet Sixteen, Page scored a game-high 17 points and pulled down a career-high eight rebounds.

As a sophomore, Page was named as an All-Big East Honorable Mention. So far this preseason, Athlon Magazine has selected Page as a third-team All-Big East selection.

Adding extra depth to the backcourt will be 6-foot-4-inch junior Jaron Brown. An All-Big East Honorable Mention, Brown averaged 9.3 points per game and was Pitt’s top rebounder with 6.1 boards per game last season.

Brown sees most of his playing time at the small forward position as well as an off-guard role.

Pitt can also look to the shooting abilities of Yuri Demetris. The 6-foot-4-inch sophomore guard, who saw limited play last season, is a returning letter winner for the Panthers. Demetris is expected to make more of an impact in his second season.

Others returning to the backcourt are juniors Carlo Dorazio and Gino Federico. Both are local talents from Plum and Montour high schools, respectively.

Possibly the most highly anticipated player for the Panthers this season is Krauser.

The 6-foot-2-inch guard from the Bronx is primed to make immediate impact for Pitt. The flashy and exciting Krauser is going to be the backup point guard and possibly play beside Knight.

“I expected [to be a back-up to Knight],” Krauser said, “Brandin hasn’t had a back-up for three years. I feel comfortable being that man.”

Krauser, who sat out last season because of Proposition 48, still practiced with the team. He played an important role in their 29-6 season, and worked a lot with Knight.

Prior to signing with Pitt, Krauser was listed by The Sporting News as one of the top 100 recruits and one of ESPN’s top 20 guards.

“I fit in very well with Pitt. I am a new addition adding hard work and enthusiasm,” Krauser adds. “I am the piece to the puzzle.”

Another new face to the Panther frontcourt is 5-foot7-inch guard Charles Small from Martin Luther King high school in Detroit.

The Panthers have been ranked by every major NCAA basketball ranking within the top 10.

Pitt will start the season officially ranked No. 4 by the USA Today/ESPN Coaches Top 25 poll, placing the Panthers above perennial powerhouses Duke, Michigan State and Kentucky. The ranking also ties Pitt’s highest preseason ranking back in 1987-1988.

Pitt begins its season Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at the Petersen Events Center, when the Panthers take the court for the Blue-Gold Scrimmage.