Pitt guard Ronald Ramon started more games as a freshman than he did as a junior last season. His minutes have decreased each season, and last season he went from being a starter to being a reserve.

In many cases, that kind of progression means a player has regressed and has been passed by in the rotation.

But, in Ramon's case, it meant that Pitt got deeper and more talented as his career progressed.

Ramon became the first Pitt freshman in seven years to start a season opener when he joined Carl Krauser, Chevy Troutman, Yuri Demetris and Chris Taft in the starting lineup against Howard in November 2004. He started only three more games that season, but made the Big East all-rookie team.

As a sophomore, he started 29 of 33 games, averaged eight points a game and made 41.5 percent of his 3-point attempts. That normally would be enough to remain a starter, but Pitt coach Jamie Dixon had Ramon come off the bench last season while senior Antonio Graves got the starting assignment.

Some players might have bristled at being a reserve after being a starter, but Ramon never complained. And he didn't let it affect his play on the court.

Ramon averaged 8.8 points per game and shot 45.6 percent from 3-point range, both career highs. Dixon wanted to use Ramon's offensive ability as a reserve after the first media timeout when leading scorer Aaron Gray was usually taken out of the game.

"At the beginning, it was difficult," Ramon said. "But then you realize you have to do your best to help your team win games. Once coach sat me down and told me the reason, I was fine with it. It made sense."

When Pitt takes the floor for its first exhibition game tonight against Pitt-Johnstown, Ramon will be back in the starting lineup if Dixon allows him to play on a sprained ankle. Ramon practiced yesterday after missing practice Monday.

Injuries are nothing new for Ramon, who had thumb surgery in August 2005 and missed large chunks of practice time. He also had to battle through a shoulder injury that season. A hamstring injury this fall kept him out of the first eight practices.

"It always crosses your mind, what would happen if I went through a season injury-free?" Ramon said. "But I've gotten better every single year I've been here. You can't think about the injuries."

Ramon is Pitt's top outside shooter, and Dixon calls Ramon Pitt's best perimeter defender. Those qualities and his winning attitude have endeared him to Dixon.

"I didn't see his role as that much different last year when he was coming off the bench," Dixon said. "He's always been among the highest in minutes played. He's been around a lot of years, has won a lot of games here."

In Pitt's four-guard rotation, Ramon will play shooting guard and some point guard when starter Levance Fields is on the bench. Senior Keith Benjamin and freshman Bradley Wanamaker give Dixon other options at the guard spots.

Dixon said he expects all four to play both guard positions throughout the season.

"We have a great group of guards," Ramon said. "Me and Levance playing together will be great. We can play different roles. I think this will be a great opportunity for us to play in the same backcourt."

If he can stay healthy, Ramon should get back to playing between 26 and 30 minutes per game, the type of workload he enjoyed as a freshman. With increased minutes, Ramon is hoping for his most-productive season.

"I expect that," Ramon said. "We have a lot of guys who can play. Coach has confidence in all of us. But I'll make the most of my opportunities."

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NOTES -- Sam Clancy, Carl Krauser, Antonio Graves, John DeGroat and Doyle Hudson will play in the alumni basketball game Sunday. Graves, who graduated last spring, signed yesterday with the Pittsburgh Xplosion of the ABA.

Ramon's season averages

Although Ronald Ramon's minutes have decreased each season, his point averages and field goal percentage have increased every year:

Season.....Min......Pts......Reb......Ast......TO.....FG%.....FT%.....3P%

2004-05.....26.1.....6.8.....1.7.....1.9......8......363......774......336

2005-06.....24.9.....8.0.....1.4.....2.2.....1......463......831......415

2006-07.....23.9.....8.8.....1.8.....2.2.....1.6......464......868......451