When the Pitt Panthers host the Villanova Wildcats Sunday afternoon at the Petersen Events Center, it won’t represent the final game of the careers for Panthers’ seniors Tray Woodall and Dante Taylor, but it will represent something of equal importance.
Sunday afternoon is the final home game of the season for the Panthers, which means it is the final time Woodall and Taylor will get to play in front of the Oakland Zoo.
“It will be emotional,” said Woodall. “I said I wouldn’t be one of those guys that cries, but I cry for everything else so I wouldn’t be surprised. All I know is it will be an emotional game. We have a tight bond on this team so I would expect the entire team to be emotional.”
However Woodall might not be the only on shedding tears over the final Petersen Events Center appearance for the two Pitt seniors as the Pitt coaching staff and Pitt fans alike will be watching two leaders go.
Woodall is the Panthers emotional leader and while Taylor never lived up to being the McDonald’s American he came is as, he is also a valuable part and vocal leader of this Pitt team.
But Woodall and Taylor have so much more in common.
They are best friends and roommates and even though their careers have taken different paths, their lives have not. Both come from New York and both were raised by single mothers in the projects. However that set a bond early that started the foundation of a strong friendship,
“He’s a 6-foot-9 version of myself and I’m a 6-foot version of him said,” Woodall.
On the court, their careers took different paths.
Taylor, the McDonald’s All-American, never lived up to that. He’s mostly been a backup during his career and the 5.1 points and 4.0 rebounds he is averaging this season really sums up his career.
But Taylor isn’t all about numbers and the leadership he brings off the Pitt bench is not only invaluable, but will be missed. Taylor is a guy who knows his role and he is all about making the younger guys better and winning games.
“Dante has been a part of a lot of wins here,” said Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon. “Not everything he does shows up in the stat sheet. He practices so hard and shows the younger guys how you are supposed to work. I am real proud of him playing well towards the end of his senior season.”
Woodall on the other hand went the opposite way.
After redshirting during the 2008-09 season following a knee injury, the Brooklyn native looked like he would be a career backup with a career filled with injuries.
But his work and dedication not only made him a starter, but perhaps the Panthers best player, averaging 11.5 points and 5.1 assists on the season. In addition, he became one of seven players in school history to record 1,000 points (1,063) and 500 assists (561) in his career.
As the Panthers prepare to take on the Wildcats, this Pitt senior class needs three more wins to become the ninth senior class in program history to reach the 100-win plateau.
They enter the game with both seniors playing well as Woodall has scored in double-figures in eight consecutive games and Taylor is coming off of his first double-double of the season in Wednesday’s win over South Florida.
There’s no doubt that Sunday will be emotional for both Taylor and Woodall, but basketball aside, this one is even more special for the two seniors as they get to play in front of their mothers at the Petersen Events Center for the first time as both Taylor’s and Woodall’s mother will be in attendance, getting to watch their sons perform for the first time.
“I’m excited,” said Taylor. “I can’t wait. I just want to lay good and hard, especially since it is the first time that my family can come out and watch. It’s going to be real emotional. I can’t wait.”
Sunday, Taylor and Woodall will attempt to lead the Panthers to just yet another victory at the Petersen Events Center, but it really means so much more. Especially to Taylor and Woodall, who both will be missed.
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