Pitt senior swingman Yuri Demetris was in foul trouble for much of the game against South Carolina and eventually fouled out with 1:56 remaining. Coach Jamie Dixon didn't play his other designated swing players, using guards Antonio Graves and Ronald Ramon instead in a three-guard lineup when Demetris was on the bench.

	Matt Freed, Post-Gazette Junior-college transfer John DeGroat had a thumb injury that kept him out of the South Carolina game. Click photo for larger image. UP NEXT Who: Bucknell (9-4) vs. Pitt (10-0). When: 7 p.m. tomorrow. Where: Petersen Events Center. Radio: WPGB-FM (104.7), WBGG-AM (970).

John DeGroat, who was brought in to challenge Demetris for the starting position, didn't play for a second consecutive game. After averaging more than 16 minutes per game the first three games of the season, DeGroat has played just 35 minutes the past seven games.

Redshirt freshman Dante Milligan, another player vying for playing time at the swing position, has played just 23 minutes this season.

Dixon said DeGroat and Milligan had thumb injuries that kept them out of the South Carolina game. He also said South Carolina's press probably precluded him from playing DeGroat or Milligan because they don't handle the ball as well as Graves or Ramon.

"I think it's more of the situation we were in with the press," Dixon said of rotation for the South Carolina game. "It was almost out of necessity. John probably couldn't have gone."

DeGroat practiced yesterday and is expected to be available tomorrow when the Panthers play host to Bucknell at the Petersen Events Center in the final non-conference game of the regular season.

DeGroat, a 6-foot-6, 220-pound junior-college transfer, was rated among the top five junior-college players in the country last season and chose Pitt over Oregon, Oklahoma and Gonzaga.

It has taken some time for him to make the transition from junior college to Division I, but Dixon said he is getting closer to being a contributor. He also has struggled with some nagging injuries.

"I really think he has improved and is getting much more comfortable," Dixon said. "He has made strides. It's hard to do. You take a step back or two when you miss practices."

Dixon did not rule out that DeGroat will be more of a factor once the Big East season gets under way Wednesday against Georgetown, even though Dixon did not go more than eight or nine deep in any competitive league game last season.

In the past two games against Richmond and South Carolina, two competitive games that will be comparable to many Big East games, Dixon used just eight players. The reserves against Richmond were forwards Mark McCarroll and Aaron Gray and guard Keith Benjamin. Graves did not play that game because of an ankle injury. Ramon started in his place.

Against South Carolina the three reserves were McCarroll, Gray and Ramon.

"We think he has a role," Dixon said. "We think he's a big part of it. He knew he was coming into a good program. He's played pretty well. He's done some good things. He has had some injuries. I think he's done well. He's working hard."

Graves said he and Ramon are getting used to playing all three guard positions and expects the rotation to remain similar to what it has been.

"I think that's how it is," Graves said. "I'm just learning now when he puts me at the three position. I'm just trying to get comfortable. Our three and two are the same positions on offense, just different spots on the court."