Pitt's New Backcourt Benefits from Milan Brown's Leadership

Milan Brown's guidance and expertise has aided the newcomers in the Pitt Panthers' backcourt.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers' incoming group of guards have big shoes to fill, but they're in good hands under associate head coach Milan Brown's tutelage. 

Brown, who is entering his sixth season with Pitt, was instrumental in the growth and success of a veteran backcourt last season that guided the Panthers to their first pair of NCAA tournament wins since 2014. 

Ishmael Leggett, Jaland Lowe and Carlton Carrington, all of whom will have a substantial role in their first year with the program, raved about Brown's guidance and approach to coaching during their press conference on Wednesday. 

"He's a fun guy to be around for sure, but he knows when to be serious," Lowe said. "We have a good balance with Coach Brown because he knows what we need to do, and he sees what we can do and tries to bring the best out of us." 

Brown's four years of playing experience at Howard, where he led the Bison to the NCAA Tournament in 1992 and has his number retired, provides him with a unique perspective and allows for a further connection with his own players. 

"It's great learning from a coach that has been in our position before on the collegiate level," Leggett said. "Great guy to be around." 

Carrington echoed a similar sentiment, harping on Brown's ability to impart his wisdom onto the members of the backcourt. 

"He knows what you have to be able to do from a guard position on a collegiate level," Carrington said. "He’s really good at instilling that knowledge."

Head coach Jeff Capel also spoke at length about Brown's work with the guards and the importance of his role in relation to molding the backcourt into a well-oiled machine as the season chugs along. 

"We're fortunate Milan Brown was a really good guard in college. His jersey is hanging in the rafters at Howard. He worked with our guards," Capel stated. "I think as a staff we can help them learn some things, but there are some things they're going to have to learn through the fire. We're excited to teach them, excited to work with them. It helps that they're talented." 

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