Chase Adams came to Pitt with a reputation for defense. A senior transfer from Centenary College, Adams was the defensive player of the year last season in the Summit League and ranked eighth nationally in steals.

At the very least, the Pitt coaches believed they had landed a solid defender who could help in the guard rotation. But, if the Blue-Gold scrimmage last night at the Petersen Events Center was any indication, the coaches have a well-rounded player who has some nice offensive skills, too, and could land a larger than expected role in the rotation.

Adams led all scorers with 21 points in the scrimmage that was won by the Blue team, 56-53. He was 8 for 11 from the field and 5 for 7 from 3-point range.

"I definitely view myself more as a defensive player, but as of late I've been shooting pretty well," Adams said. "I've been more comfortable shooting the ball, and coach has been telling me when I have the open shot to take the open shot. I've been trying to establish myself as an offensive player as well."

It's not that Adams' shooting success is coming out of the blue. He shot 40 percent from 3-point range at Centenary last season. The Pitt coaches, however, had no idea the type of shooter they were getting until they started watching him in practice every day.

That same fluid shooting stroke that was on display last night has been there every practice.

"The first time I saw him play I thought he was a great player overall," said sophomore guard Ashton Gibbs. "He's a great defender and he can knock down an open shot as well. I think we play similar. I'm looking forward to playing with him this year."

Coach Jamie Dixon is looking forward to playing with his guard combinations once senior Jermaine Dixon, the only returning starter from last season, returns to the lineup from a foot injury. Among Adams, Dixon, Gibbs and redshirt freshman Travon Woodall, Jamie Dixon believes he can develop a nice rotation where everyone is making a contribution.

"When we get Jermaine back, those four guys will be interchangeable," the coach said.

"That's going to be a strength of ours -- our versatility. They can play off the ball and on the ball, and I think they're all going to be good defenders. That's encouraging. I think we're going to have a good shooting group out of those four."

The guards certainly carried the play last night. Brad Wanamaker, who will play guard and small forward because of the absence of the suspended Gilbert Brown, finished with 19 points. Gibbs had 17 and Woodall 11.

Last night was the first opportunity to see Pitt's heralded freshman class in action. The group that Dixon said will be better than any other class he has recruited had some mixed results in the scrimmage.

Dante Taylor, Pitt's first McDonald's All-American in more than two decades, was 1 for 7 from the field and finished with three points and three rebounds. Jamie Dixon revealed after the scrimmage that Taylor will be playing center, which means he will be competing with junior Gary McGhee for the starter's job.

McGhee was 3 for 3 from the field and had six points and two rebounds. There had been some discussion that Taylor could play power forward, but Dixon said he based his decision on team needs.

The leading scorer among the freshmen was forward Lamar Patterson, who had 10 points and four rebounds.

"Lamar has a great feel for the game," Dixon said.

"He has a great understanding. He can really pass. He played very solid. He doesn't get rushed. He played under control. He shoots the ball well and he rebounds pretty well."

Forward Talib Zanna had five points and two rebounds and J.J. Richardson had two points and four rebounds.

NOTES -- Jermaine Dixon, rehabilitating from September foot surgery, is still in a walking boot and will not be practicing with the team anytime soon. "We're still a while away," Jamie Dixon said. "It's not fully healed. That's clear from the X-ray we took [Monday]. We're going to have to see where it is in another 10 days or so. He's far away from doing any running or any weight-bearing conditioning. He has a ways to go."... Woodall had eight assists and no turnovers. ... The Gold team had 14 turnovers. Wanamaker had five.

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