Minor Makes Major Impact In Exhibition Victory
10/21/2025 1:48:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Damarco Minor debuted at Pitt with 15 points, three rebounds, three assists and no turnovers.
When the Pitt men's basketball team found itself trailing by 12 early in the first half of Sunday's exhibition game against Providence, the moment called for someone to steady the ship. That someone was Damarco Minor, whose presence began to shape the game. He produced the kind of performance you hope a seasoned guard delivers in those rough patches: 15 points (4-of-8 FG, 6-of-7 FT) while contributing three assists, three rebounds and a steal – and maybe most importantly, no turnovers.
But it wasn't just the numbers. Less than five minutes after the Friars opened up a 12-point lead, Minor turned to the mindset that's defined his journey:
"Life isn't going to be peaches and cream. You're going to hit a bump, and that's what your character is built on. So come on, let's get it going, we're down 12, let's buckle our seatbelts on."
That quote is more than a post-game sound bite. It reflects how Minor views his role: not merely a scorer, but a stabilizer of energy and tone.
He followed that verbal prompt with action. Pitt closed the half on a strong run, held Providence scoreless in the closing minutes before the break, and built momentum the rest of the way.
Head Coach Jeff Capel echoed the sentiment.
"He is one of the leaders of the team. There's no doubt. He can be hard in a really good way. He's learning his team and learning each personality, which I think is one of the primary keys for a really good point guard."
That's telling. A fifth-year guard, Minor is doing the less-glamorous work of leadership: figuring out how to speak to each teammate, when to push, when to guide, and when to simply anchor by example. In his own words:
"Honestly, I'm still figuring that out… I'm trying to lead the right way, and that's different for certain guys."
So what does this mean for Pitt? If the exhibition game was a dress rehearsal — an 81-74 victory that extended their non-conference exhibition streak and showcased a deep roster beyond just one star — then Minor's role becomes even clearer. He's the fulcrum: someone who can score efficiently, direct the offense, and keep the cool when the script tilts the wrong way.
In short, this wasn't just a "good game" for Damarco Minor. It may well have been a statement: I'm ready to lead. And as the season opens for real, Pitt will hope that leadership translates into consistent production — nightly, not just once.
TICKETS
Fans can purchase single-game tickets for both exhibition and non-conference games HERE or by contacting the Panther Ticket Office at (800) 643-7488 or tickets@athletics.pitt.edu. The Panther Ticket Office offers a variety of options for fans to support the Panthers all season long. Ticket packages include six-game mini plans, the Panther Pack (a new mobile season ticket option), and full season tickets.
