Panther of the Week: Mike Young

Can we settle this? Is it Mike Young or Michael Young? The truth is that I don’t care what he prefers, as we should call him whatever he wants if he continues to have a week like he just had for Pitt. The week saw the Panthers finish with two wins in two games and the senior big man had a huge hand in both games.

Young kicked off the week on Tuesday with 24 points and 10 boards in a 75-70 victory over defending Ivy League champion, Yale. Young wasn’t satisfied with just those numbers though, as he added in four blocks and three assists in the game. To top everything off, Young was also perfect from the free throw line, going six for six.

The senior continued his hot week on Friday to help Pitt to a double digit win over Morehead State. Young again topped the 20 point mark by landing right on it. He chipped in six rebounds, four assists, and a block to help Pitt climb to 5-1 this season.

Young averaged 22 points last week and held a very hot hand on his shooting. He shot 59% from the field and 90% from the charity stripe, finishing 9 of 10, in that regard. As Pitt fans have become accustomed over the years, free throw shooting has not always been a strength of Pitt teams. If someone as important as Young keeps knocking them down at this rate, it could go a long way in being a successful one for the Panthers.

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