PITTSBURGH — Xavier Johnson is probably not going back to the bench any time soon.
The Pitt point guard, coming off the bench for the second time in his career and first time this season, went off for a career high 32 points on Wednesday in Pitt’s 83-72 upset victory over No. 16 Virginia Tech to snap a three-game slide.
Will we see Johnson come off the bench again sometimes soon?
“That’s coach’s call, that ain’t my call,” Johnson said. “If I play like that, I wouldn’t have a problem with.”
Hear more from Johnson, wing Au’Diese Toney and head coach Jeff Capel after Pitt’s big win over the Hokies at Petersen Events Center:
I’m still in shock by the way X played last night. That was the player we saw as a freshman. Still not sure if it’s an issue with the player or the coach, but it was fun to see that again.
X is the fastest man on the court. If he’s standing beside a defender, he’s going to get to the backboard first. But he has gotten some charge calls when defenders have jumped in front of him at the last second (charge or block?). Glad to see him use the Eurostep and hesitation to get open shots. He’s strong enough to take bumps and still get his shot up. Love that high on the board bank he can do. I think he has potential at the next level as he improves outside shooting.
I’m still in shock by the way X played last night. That was the player we saw as a freshman. Still not sure if it’s an issue with the player or the coach, but it was fun to see that again.
X is the fastest man on the court. If he’s standing beside a defender, he’s going to get to the backboard first. But he has gotten some charge calls when defenders have jumped in front of him at the last second (charge or block?). Glad to see him use the Eurostep and hesitation to get open shots. He’s strong enough to take bumps and still get his shot up. Love that high on the board bank he can do. I think he has potential at the next level as he improves outside shooting.