Pitt shows it can score, but rebounding might be the key to enduring success

Pitt’s flurry of points against Syracuse on Saturday can be quantified in a variety of ways.

• The Panthers scored 96 points, the most in a conference game that didn’t go into overtime since Pitt recorded 98 against DePaul in 2008.

• It also was Pitt’s highest total against the Orange since 1972.

• Justin Champagnie (24), Xavier Johnson (23) and Ithiel Horton (20) totaled 67 points, tied for the third most by a Pitt trio in the past 10 seasons.

• The total of 64 points in the second half is the most since Pitt joined the ACC for the 2013-14 season.

The offensive surge was especially impressive — and encouraging — for a team that is 13th in the ACC in 3-point percentage (30.8%) and last in free-throw percentage (64.2%). Pitt shot 34.8% from long range (8 of 23) and 81.3% from the foul line (26 of 32) against the Orange.

Could even better days be ahead?

But Horton, who recorded five of his team-high 20 3-pointers Saturday, didn’t mention offense when he was asked what sets Pitt apart from last season’s team.

Horton was a practice player and spectator at games while he sat out the 2019-2020 season, per NCAA transfer rules.

He said Pitt’s start to the season — the Panthers are 3-1 in the ACC for the first time since 2016 — can be traced to players’ willingness to buy into coach Jeff Capel’s insistence on grabbing missed shots.

“Our rebounding is the underlying tone for this year’s team,” Horton said. “This year, coach is really hammering home boxing out, boxing out at practice every day.”

Pitt had a 47-35 rebounding advantage against Syracuse, including 31 on the defensive end. Many of those led to fast-break baskets before Syracuse could set up its 2-3 zone.

It’s probably too early for such statements, but Pitt is playing like a team destined to finish in the top half of the ACC.

Champagnie, an early contender for ACC Player of the Year, recorded his fourth double-double (24 points, 16 rebounds) on Saturday and is the only player in the NCAA averaging more than 17 points (18.7) and 12 rebounds (12.9). He is second in the ACC in scoring to Duke’s Matthew Hurt (19.6).

The two will meet Tuesday at Petersen Events Center when the No. 19 Blue Devils are in town.

Champagnie played Saturday, four weeks after injuring the lateral collateral ligament in his left knee. Capel said Pitt’s medical staff “turned him loose” for a full practice a week earlier.

While playing 34 minutes Saturday, Champagnie was especially productive around the basket, once scoring while switching to his left hand in mid-flight.

“I just shook my head,” Capel said. “I actually thought it was a bad shot. He has really good touch around the basket and the mid-range area.”

Despite the gaudy numbers, Capel suggested Champagnie is only touching his potential.

“He’s got a long way to go to become the player we think he can be, but he’s on the right path to doing it. He’s hungry, and he wants to do it.”

Meanwhile, Johnson has been a contributor and a scorer, leading the ACC in assists per game (5.6) while averaging 15.1 points. He has help from freshman Femi Odukale. Together, they had 15 assists Saturday, and Odukale played 20 minutes without a turnover. Overall, Pitt turned the ball over only six times.

“It feels really good to play with a team that has a flow like that and an energy,” Horton said.

Horton has advanced beyond his early-season slump. He provided those important, zone-busting, long-range baskets to help defeat Syracuse.

“Once, I get it in my mind that the rim is the ocean,” he said, “the sky’s the limit.”

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