Pitt guard Onye Ezeakudo will miss Pitt’s game against Georgia Tech on Saturday, while Ryan Murphy will be a game-time decision.
Ezeakudo suffered a sprained ankle in Pitt’s loss at Notre Dame on Wednesday and Capel said that he is on crutches and will certainly not be available for Saturday’s game, and “will be out for a little while.”
Murphy has missed Pitt’s last two games after suffering a concussion in practice eight days ago.
“We’ll see after some tests [Friday],” Capel said. “We’ll see if he’ll be able to go.”
Murphy has averaged 10.1 points per game in his first season at Pitt as a junior college transfer. He’s been particularly effective from 3-point range, where he leads the Panthers in baskets and attempts. He’s averaged 30.4 minutes per game, while starting 12 times and coming off the bench nine.
With Murphy out, Ezeakudo saw an increased role over the last week. The sophomore walk-on from Indianapolis has averaged 3.3 minutes per game this season, but played a season-high seven against Miami on Feb. 2 and played four before being injured at Notre Dame.
If Murphy is unable to play, Pitt will be especially thin at guard against Georgia Tech, with just Xavier Johnson, Trey McGowens and freshman Gerald Drumgoole to play what is usually two or three spots in Pitt’s rotation.
The other guards on Pitt’s roster are sophomore Ithiel Horton, who is sitting out this season after transferring from Delaware, and walk-on senior Anthony Starzynski and freshmen Curtis Aiken, Jr., KJ Marshall and Chayce Smith.
Play Aiken.