Men’s Basketball: Wright continues strong preseason in Blue-Gold scrimmage win

The Oakland Zoo held its first Blue and Gold scrimmage Friday night, in which the Gold team dominated early in the first half to secure a 74-67 victory over the Blue team. The scrimmage was the second in the Pitt men’s basketball preseason, following the Blue and Gold game played as a part of the Maggie Dixon Heart Health Fair a few weeks ago.

“We do this to thank the Zoo for all of their support and everything they’ve done for us,” head coach Jamie Dixon said. 

Redshirt junior guard Cameron Wright and redshirt senior small forward Lamar Patterson contributed heavily to the Gold team win by racking up 25 points apiece in the contest. Both players took advantage at the free-throw line, as Wright went 10-for-12 and Patterson 12-for-13, aiding in the team’s 83-percent scoring rate at the line.

This is the second scrimmage in which Wright scored more than 20 points, following his performance that culminated in a game-winning 3-pointer in the Blue and Gold scrimmage. Last season Wright flew under the radar next to highlighted players such as Steven Adams, but already Wright has emerged as a potential star player for the Panthers. 

“He’s just a better player,” Dixon said. “He’s in better shape, and he’s shooting the ball with more arc. We’re pretty certain he’s going to have a really good year.”

Along with Wright and Patterson, five other players scored in the double digits, including freshmen Michael Young (16) and Jamel Artis (13), sophomores James Robinson (15) and Durand Johnson (17) and senior Talib Zanna (19).

Young in particular played an aggressive game. The freshman, who will likely start for the Panthers, set screens to free Wright and was vocal on the court. 

“I thought he really played tremendous tonight,” Wright said of Young’s performance. “I went in early on a couple screens, but he covered me.”

Zanna also managed to reach double digits for total rebounds (17), a game-high, which was the main reason the Blue team out-rebounded Gold, 32-25. 

“Coach Dixon is always emphasizing rebounds. Rebounds win games, and it means we have a good defense,” Zanna said.

Two players who did not see action Friday were sophomore Joseph Uchebo and junior Derrick Randall. Both players, who transferred from junior college and Rutgers, respectively, sat out because of knee injuries, and a date when they will both be healthy enough to resume play has not yet been revealed.

Dixon took a seat behind the scorer’s table Friday instead of assuming his normal position along the team sideline to watch the game with former Pitt head coach Ben Howland, who was fired by UCLA this past spring.

Under the leadership of Howland, Pitt saw two NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearances and went to three straight Big East championships, even clinching the title in 2003. 

“I’ve never had off this time of year,” Howland said. “I’m trying to take advantage of it.”

Howland also made appearances at practices during the week.

“I’m really impressed with their perimeter play,” Howland said. “They got a lot of depth that I like, and they got some young [players] who are going to be here a while.”

The intrasquad tune-up is the final one before Pitt faces its first opposition of the year. University of California-San Diego visits the Petersen Events Center for an exhibition game next Friday. 

“It’s going to be a fun team to watch evolve throughout the year,” Howland said.