The Pitt wing missed his team's last two matchups with an elbow injury
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The Pitt Panthers have been without Au’Diese Toney since the turn of the new year, as he suffered a left elbow injury in practice last week. However, Pitt head coach Jeff Capel revealed on Friday that Toney is expected to return to the lineup for the team’s matchup with Miami on Sunday night, according to Craig Meyer of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Jeff Capel said Au’Diese Toney practiced with Pitt today and, barring anything unforeseen, he should be able to play Sunday at Miami
— Craig Meyer (@CraigMeyerPG) January 10, 2020
The 6’6”, 210-pound wing started in eight of Pitt’s 13 games prior to his injury and was a fixture in the team’s starting five during the 2018-19 season as well, starting 28 of 32 games as a freshman. Although he endured some early-season struggles, Toney was always a solid rebounder and had become a consistent contributor on offense in December. He had 10 or more points and six or more rebounds in three of his last five games.
With Toney back in the mix, Capel will have more depth at his disposal, and he will regain the use of one of his most effective defenders. In addition, if Toney is able to maintain his offensive uptick in his return, Pitt will have three solid wing options, as Ryan Murphy and Justin Champagnie have both acquitted themselves well in Toney’s absence over the last three games.
Starting in Toney’s place against Wake Forest on Jan. 4, Murphy converted on four of his six three-point attempts and led Pitt in scoring with 18 points. And Champagnie went 4-for-7 from distance against North Carolina on Wednesday, putting up a career-high 22 points in his team’s 73-65 upset of the Tar Heels.
Pitt and Miami will meet at the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Florida, this coming Sunday at 6 p.m. ET. The Panthers bring an 11-4 record into the matchup. The Hurricanes are 9-5.
