Pittsburgh moves on without injured reserve Johnson, freshmen expected to fill void
Courtesy of Pitt Athletic Media Relations
Durand Johnson is out for the season after injuring his knee. Jamie Dixon will look to a slue of freshmen to try and replace Johnson, who has been a spark off the bench for the Panthers this season.
When Pittsburgh takes on Syracuse in the Carrier Dome on Saturday, it will do so without one of its best shooters.
Redshirt sophomore forward Durand Johnson is out for the remainder of the season after tearing his ACL. The No. 22 Panthers (16-1, 4-0 Atlantic Coast) will have a chance to knock off No. 2 Syracuse (17-0, 4-0) on Saturday, but will have to do so without Johnson’s long-range shot.
“He’ll be out for the year,” said Pittsburgh head coach Jamie Dixon during the ACC coaches’ teleconference on Monday, “but I expect him to be back here down the road next year, working hard as always and getting better, like he did this year and throughout his career.”
Before his injury, Johnson was averaging 8.8 points and three rebounds off the bench this season. Pitt will need increased contributions from its four freshmen — Jamel Artis, Chris Jones, Josh Newkirk and Michael Young — who are averaging a combined 16.8 points per game.
In Johnson’s two games before the injury, he scored 17 and 11 points on 7-of-11 combined shooting. Against Maryland on Jan. 6, he hit 3-of-4 3-pointers and shot 6-of-8 overall.
Despite the significant loss and the inexperience of those filling Johnson’s place, Dixon said his freshmen don’t need to change what they’re doing or try to do too much. He added that the only thing they need to do differently is play with more passion.
“No one’s going to reinvent themselves at this point,” Dixon said.
Along with his 3-point shooting, Johnson’s vocal leadership will be missed, Dixon said. He’s a positive talker on the bench, and Dixon said his teammates feed off that energy.
While Johnson’s on the bench, though, Dixon expects more of the same. Even though he won’t be playing or practicing, he’ll still contribute off the court.
“I think Durand and his personality are a big part of our team,” Dixon said, “as well as his basketball attributes.”
As Boston College proved on Monday, one of the most lethal ways to contend with Syracuse is via the 3-point shot. The Eagles hit 9-of-21 3s, including six from Lonnie Jackson, and nearly staged the upset.
Pitt will try to complete the task without one of its outside weapons.
“It’s tough,” Dixon said.
Published on January 17, 2014 at 4:56 am
Contact Trevor: tbhass@syr.edu | @TrevorHass
