With Pitt 20-2 and in the nation's top five, the only thing that might be able to derail the team is injuries. Pitt got a dose of just that this week with forward Dante Taylor.
Taylor apparently banged knees with another player in practice on Tuesday and left early. He was also held out of practice on Thursday, but it doesn't sound as if head coach Jamie Dixon thinks it's too serious:
"Dante got a little banged up, we are going to get him checked out with an MRI, we don't think it is too serious but the knees have been bothering him as we know," Dixon said. "So that is where we are at with him. He seemed to be walking around today after practice. He just doesn't seem to be moving as he was earlier in the year, he has been getting treatment and he seems to be getting better and hopefully this week [Pitt has been off since Saturday]of rest will help him out."
As the Trib points out, Taylor's numbers have taken a hit over the past few games (despite getting a regular dose of minutes) and the soreness in the knees could be a part of that.
Let's face it - Taylor is a huge part of this team. He's not a starter, but he could be for many D-I teams. And as one of the first players off the bench, he's a key part of Pitt's depth. Pitt needs him to get healthy and be ready down the stretch. Hopefully the off week will help him to do that.
Taylor is questionable for the game on Saturday against Cincinnati.