Today’s Game

AT PITTSBURGH

California vs. Pittsburgh: Cal could overwhelm its opponent with superior depth or fall victim to the heroics of the opposing point guard. Brandin Knight shook off thigh and finger injuries to get 17 points, nine assists and five steals in Pitt’s first-round victory over Central Connecticut State. “He looks like he is in pretty good playing condition,” Cal Coach Ben Braun said. “The things he does are really hard to play against.” Knight and guard Julius Page are potent three-point threats. Cal has an advantage inside. Center Solomon Hughes and forward Jamal Sampson, both 6 feet 11, denied Penn shots from the paint in Cal’s 82-75 first-round victory. Pitt starting center Toree Morris played only four minutes Friday, giving way to 6-7 freshman Chevon Troutman. “Chev has demonstrated in practice and in games that he is ready to perform well,” Coach Ben Howland said. Cal uses a nine-player rotation. Lately, forward Joe Shipp and guard Brian Wethers have taken the key shots. In three postseason games, including two in the Pacific 10 Conference tournament, Shipp has averaged 21 points and Wethers 17.3. Braun faced Pittsburgh once before in the NCAA tournament, in 1988 as coach of Eastern Michigan. Pitt won, 108-90.

Steve Henson