Pitt shows off new-look team in exhibition rout of Slippery Rock

Eric Hamilton had only one word to describe the first half of his first game as a Pitt basketball player:

“Ridiculous,” he said, a look of disgust on his face.

It didn’t matter Pitt was on its way Wednesday night to a 98-47 exhibition game victory against Slippery Rock at Petersen Events Center. The victory won’t count in the Panthers’ win total and, as far as Hamilton is concerned, should be forgotten as soon as possible.

The biggest and stoutest of Pitt’s five new players, Hamilton (6-foot-9, 230 pounds) committed four fouls in the first half, played only six minutes and went to the locker room at the break with zero rebounds and a resolve to do better.

Slippery Rock, a Division II team, out-rebounded Pitt in the first half, 24-19, with 11 coming off the offensive glass. That would be unacceptable against an ACC opponent. It’s embarrassing when the opponent comes from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.

Coach Jeff Capel didn’t care that his team led in points, 51-21. With a team that has only three players 6-8 or taller, Capel has no choice but to emphasize rebounding.

“In the first half, I thought (Slippery Rock) missed a lot of shots, and they were just quicker to the ball,” he said. “We didn’t do a good job of keeping guys out of the paint.”

Re-inserted into the starting lineup to start the second half, Hamilton grabbed five rebounds in only six minutes.

“I tried to come out with a vengeance the second half and focus more on rebounding and just get my teammates extra shots, securing the boards so we can push it and go. Four guys to the glass. Keep working, keep fighting, just have a dog mentality.”

Capel noticed.

“We challenged (Hamilton) and Terrell (Brown, 6-10 junior centrer) at halftime,” he said. “Eric set the tone, going after defensive rebounds. I thought that was really, really good and it became contagious for us.”

Hamilton, a graduate senior, is with his third team after transferring from Wichita State and UNC Greensboro, so first impressions at Pitt matter to him.

“I’m always challenging myself,” he said. “Sometimes, I get a little too hard on myself, but I end up working it out. Just getting in the gym and getting more work in. Watching some film and seeing some things I do wrong so, hopefully, I won’t make those mistakes when it counts.”

It starts counting quicker than ever before at Pitt. The Panthers’ first game is next Wednesday against ACC foe Florida State, a Sweet 16 team from a year ago.

“I can’t afford to have four fouls and be out like that,” Hamilton said. “I’ll get with coach, and we’ll see what needs corrected on my end.”

Capel used 13 players in the game and 10 of them scored.

Sophomore guards Xavier Johnson and Trey McGowens recorded 17 and 15 points, respectively, and freshman Gerald Drumgoole, who was in the starting lineup, added 13. Ryan Murphy, a transfer from New Mexico Junior College, scored 11 with three 3-pointers.

Drumgoole hit two of five from beyond the arc. He said he hopes to learn from Johnson and McGowens.

“It’s fun playing with them,” he said. “It’s a blessing. I look up to those guys, knowing they are about to take the next step in their careers soon.”

Two other freshmen , Justin Champagnie and Karim Coulibaly, also played well, knowing Capel is counting on them to contribute productive minutes this season.

Champagnie, who was fearful he might miss the season with a right knee sprain suffered in the preseason, has recovered nicely. He scored eight points. Coulibaly led Pitt with eight rebounds.

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