Pitt Men’s Basketball Leaves Bahamas With Perfect Record, New Insights

Mar 22, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers head coach Jamie Dixon talks with his players in the second half of a men

The 2014-2015 Pitt Panthers men’s basketball team finished a four-game summer competition trip in the Bahamas last week. The NCAA allows each institution a foreign tour once every four years; this was Jamie Dixon’s third international tour.

In 2004, the Panthers traveled to Toronto, and in 2010, Pitt traveled to Ireland for a six-game trip, finishing with a perfect 6-0. Several other programs – including Kentucky, Ohio State, North Carolina, Cincinnati, and Ole Miss – made the trip to the Bahamas as well.

These trips are a great way for “team building” and the opportunity to get a head start before the upcoming season. These also allow for incoming freshmen and transfers to get some valuable playing time before the season.

A few keys to take away from this trip:

• Pitt gained some valuable game experience and team bonding over the seven-day trip.
• The Panthers squad certainly fits the mold of previous successful Pitt teams.
• Junior center Joseph Uchebo averaged 7.5 ppg and 12.5 rpg. He could become a force inside for the Panthers, who will need to replace Talib Zanna.
• Senior guard Cameron Wright appeared to be the leader for Pitt, and should provide guidance for the young, incoming Panthers.
• Pitt has a very solid sophomore core of Michael Young, Jamel Artis, Josh Newkirk, and transfer Sheldon Jeter. If this group sticks together and grows, Pitt could be a very dangerous team come March.

All four of Pitt’s games were played at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre, in Nassau. Pitt’s first opponent was the Pyramid Food Rockets on Saturday, followed by the Bahamas All-Stars on Sunday, the Street Legends All-Stars on Tuesday, and the Atlantis All-Stars on Wednesday.

The Pyramid Food Rockets squad consisted of former college players who play in a semi-pro Bahamas league. Pitt’s starting five was center Derrick Randall, forwards Young and Chris Jones, and guards Cameron Wright and James Robinson. The Panthers would go on to blow out the Food Rockets 101-62, as Wright scored 21 points on 8 of 13 shooting, Young scored 17 points and seven rebounds, freshman Cameron Johnson added 13 points, and Chris Jones finished with 12.

The Bahamas All Stars squared off against Pitt, who started Uchebo, forwards Jeter and Artis, and guards Wright and Newkirk. Ten Panthers scored early to take a 31-10 lead, along with a 19-2 run. At the half, Pitt was shooting 78 percent on 29 of 37 shooting, as well as 20 assists and nine steals. The Bahamas All Stars were no match for Pitt, as the Panthers won 113-59. Michael Young led Pitt with 18 points on 8 of 10 shooting, Sheldon Jeter scored 16 points, James Robinson added 14, and Cameron Wright and Jamel Artis each put in 10 points.

After back-to-back blowouts, the Panthers had a day off and a relaxing swim with the dolphins. The next day, Pitt matched up against the Street Legends All-Stars. This game was a little closer in the first half, but the Panthers were too powerful and relentless, eventually pulling away for a 94-55 win. Wright finished with 13 points, Robinson 11, Young 11, Newkirk 10, and Uchebo 10. It is very promising to see center Joseph Uchebo excel for Pitt on this trip, as he was a presence under the basket in this game, hauling in 17 rebounds. Incoming freshmen Ryan Luther added some early life to Pitt, scoring eight points and rebounds.

In their final matchup, the Panthers thrashed the Atlantis All-Stars 124-52, with Cameron Wright scoring 22 points, Young 16, Luther, Johnson, and Artis each scoring 14 points, and Chris Jones contributing 11 points.