Basketball: Pitt releases schedules for both teams for new season

With both Pitt basketball teams seeking redemption after equally disappointing campaigns last…With both Pitt basketball teams seeking redemption after equally disappointing campaigns last year, the University’s athletic department released the complete schedules for both programs’ 2012-2013 seasons this week.

After two exhibition contests, men’s head coach Jamie Dixon’s Panthers will compete for the first time since last April’s College Basketball Invitational championship victory on Friday, Nov. 9 when they host Mount St. Mary’s at the Petersen Events Center.

Pitt’s nonconference schedule is highlighted by its participation in the National Invitation Tournament Season Tip-Off and the annual City Game against Duquesne, which will be played on Dec. 5 at Consol Energy Center.

The Panthers will then begin their last season in the Big East with a home game against Cincinnati on Dec. 31 at noon.

Other key home games include matchups with Connecticut (Jan. 19, noon), Syracuse (Feb. 2, noon), Notre Dame (Feb. 18, 7 p.m.) and Villanova (March 3, TBA).

The women’s basketball team’s season will also commence Nov. 9 with an 11 a.m. tip-off against Youngstown State at the Petersen Events Center.

Following a Dec. 8 showdown with Duquesne, the Panthers, who finished winless in the Big East last season, will begin play in women’s college basketball’s premier conference.

Pitt will host Villanova (Jan. 12, 6 p.m.), Notre Dame (Jan. 23, 7 p.m.), Georgetown (Feb. 23, 1 p.m.) and DePaul on Senior Day (March 2, 1 p.m.).

“This is an extremely challenging schedule,” Pitt’s 10-year women’s head coach Agnus Berenato said in a press release.

“Our players learned a lot about themselves and the league last year,” she added. “The Big East schedule offers a difficult test each night. I am excited to watch our young team compete and battle day in and day out.”