Pitt coach Jeff Capel was pleased by what he saw come together on the floor of the Petersen Events Center on Monday night.

Sophomore point guard Femi Odukale scored 20 points and added seven rebounds and three assists with no turnovers in almost 28 minutes.

Senior transfer Mouhamadou Gueye, one of five new players, hit two 3-pointers, an impressive feat for a 6-foot-10 “man,” as Capel called him. But he also scored 17 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked four shots in Pitt’s 89-64 exhibition victory against Division II Gannon. The victory was good for morale purposes, but it won’t count toward Pitt’s total.

Capel also liked the fact that junior guard Ithiel Horton tried seven 3s, even though he made only two.

“I told him in front of the team, if he gets 15 3s in a game, I’m happy as long as they are good shots,” he said. “Even though he’s 2 for 7, that could be 5 for 7. That could be 6 for 7. That’s the confidence I have in him.”

Said Horton, who scored 16 points and dished out three assists: “It frees my mind out of some bondage. Especially if I go out there and I miss a couple, I know he’s not going to pull the leash on me. It adds to my confidence.”

But what displeased Capel was the sight of senior guard Nike Sibande, a holdover from last year and a starter Monday, hobbling off the court with a knee injury.

“He banged knees with someone, tried to play through it,” Capel said.

Later, when Sibande came to jump stop to receive a pass, his knee gave out and he was finished for the night after eight minutes.

“Certainly, that’s a blow to us,” the coach said. He said he’ll know more about the injury Tuesday.

The injury is Pitt’s second of some significance in the preseason. Senior guard Jamarius Burton, who quickly developed into a valued leader after transferring from Texas Tech, injured his knee in practice and had a procedure Oct. 8. At the time, he was projected to miss four to six weeks.

Capel said Burton is progressing well, and may start some individual workouts this week, but there is no definitive timetable for his return. Pitt opens the season Nov. 9 against The Citadel at the Pete.

“It’s a big loss for us,” Capel said. “He gives us maturity and leadership that, to be quite frank, we have not had since I’ve been here.”

Capel, who is entering his fourth season, said Burton called a team meeting within his first month on campus.

“I’m sitting there in a meeting that he called and I’m watching this,” Capel said. “When we leave, I’m saying to my assistants, `I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen this (from a new player). Ever.’

“There is a seriousness about him. There’s a maturity about him. I think he has helped all of these guys. They haven’t been around anyone on the court that talks as much as he does. I don’t care if it’s a workout, pickup, running. Whatever it is, he’s constantly talking.

“It’s something that, hopefully, we get back soon. And also, he’s a good player. That’s helps, too.”

Overall, Capel said he sees his players growing together as a team. He didn’t want to compare what’s happening now with last season at this time – for obvious reasons. Covid complications and players leaving with games remaining on the schedule made it a difficult season for everyone.

“I don’t remember much about this time last year,” he said. “It may be a conscious thing. Last year was so screwed up.

“I do know our guys have been eager to come and work every day. That’s a big part of it. You have to be worthy of winning. You have to show up every day.”

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)