Will Jamie Dixon Redshirt Isaiah Epps And Cameron Wright?

by CardiacHill on Nov 5, 2025 10:23 PM EDT

Did Jamie Dixon's post-game statements after the IUP exhibition contest indicate freshmen Isaiah Epps and Cameron Wright will redshirt this season?

It already seemed as if both Epps and Wright may have been headed for redshirts, and head coach Jamie Dixon may have shown his intentions for both of them. On why Epps and Wright didn't play during Pitt's final exhibition game, Dixon said:

"It's just numbers; add 'em up," Dixon said regarding the lineup and personnel decisions. "Not everybody can play. It's just where the numbers are."

True, you can read into this and say it was only one game. But if there's ever a chance to get a feel for players, especially new ones, it's in exhibition games. The fact that neither played was yet another reason why I believe both will redshirt.

Pitt is just too deep at guard this season and, barring injuries, the team shouldn't need to rely on either. Ashton Gibbs and Brad Wanamaker will start at guard. Both are upperclassmen and should play a great deal of minutes. Travon Woodall improved as the season went on last year and he's more than a capable backup. The exhibition game also showcased the talents of SG/SF Lamar Patterson, who tied for the team lead in points with 13. He'll get into the rotation for minutes.

The team also has freshman J.J. Moore who can play SG or SF and appears to be more polished than either Epps or Wright.

Pitt should have enough depth that it doesn't need to rely on either to play this season and it would benefit the team if both took redshirts.

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Read More: Brad Wanamaker (G - Pittsburgh), Travon Woodall (G - Pittsburgh), Ashton Gibbs (G - Pittsburgh), Lamar Patterson (G - Pittsburgh), Isaiah Epps (G - Pittsburgh), Cameron Wright (G - Pittsburgh), J.J. Moore (F - Pittsburgh), Pittsburgh Panthers

Comments

I really don’t see how he can pull that off. We are already over our limit for scholarships and red shirting would simply make it worse.

Coach Dixon many believe we will lose Gibbs to the NBA, if he’s willing to RS and over recruit.

by pantherboy on Nov 6, 2025 9:17 AM EDT reply actions

Think about the numbers...

We have thirteen and will lose Brown, Wana and McGhee. We have Bond, Johnson, Johnson and Gilbert coming in. That would essentially put SIX frosh on this team with Epps and Wright. We are already one over the limit.

There is no way we can redshirt them both, imo.

by pantherboy on Nov 6, 2025 9:21 AM EDT reply actions

Not something that can't be overcome

It might look a little out of whack, but Pitt would have the same number of scholarship players in 2011 regardless of who gets redshirted or not. Here are the projected teams/scholarship prospects over the next few years:

2011 - Epps, Gibbs, Moore, Patterson, Richardson, Robinson, Taylor, Woodall, Wright, Zanna, Bond, Gilbert, D. Johnson, J. Johnson

2012 - Epps, Moore, Patterson, Richardson, Taylor, Woodall, Wright, Zanna, Bond, Gilbert, D. Johnson, J. Johnson, Birch, Adams

2013 - Epps, Moore, Patterson, Wright, Zanna, Bond, Gilbert, D. Johnson, J. Johnson, Birch, Adams

Yes, the team would have more holdovers in 2014 if it redshirts everyone, but that’s a long way off. Lots of things can happen in between - Players transfer, leave early for the pros, or, unfortunately, get booted from programs. It’s way to early to speculate, but Pitt’s 2012 recruits (Birch and Adams) look like they might leave early for the pros.

Dixon is already one over for next year and if it lands Omar Calhoun for ’12, Pitt would be two over for that year.

These kinds of things tend to work themselves out (i.e. transfer of Dwight Miller this year) and I think Pitt could safely redshirt both.

by CardiacHill on Nov 6, 2025 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions