Unproven Panthers show drastic improvement
By Andrew Kelly, Staff Writer
12:59 am
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Sports Columns
The Pitt men's basketball team looks great when you compare this Pitt team to where last year’s team was at this point. The 2017 Panthers started out 0-2, losing to the similarly low-level squads of Navy and Montana.
First-year guards lead Pitt past Penguins, 69-53, in opener
By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
November 6, 2018
Filed under 3. Breaking, Men's Basketball, Sports
First-year guards Trey McGowens and Xavier Johnson led the Panthers with 17 and 16 points, respectively, and the Panthers scored 27 fast-break points en route to a comfortable 16-point victory.
Preview: Men’s team can only go up from 2017
By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
November 5, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
Even if the new-look Panthers only win one ACC game this season, it will still be an improvement over 2017's disastrous campaign.
Panthers to push the pace under new coach Capel
By Stephen Thompson, Staff Writer
November 5, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
Capel and his new coaching staff stressed strength and stamina. He wants his Pitt teams to play in the same mold of his teams at Oklahoma — force turnovers, get out in transition and play fast.
Ellison to lead Pitt despite hiatus
By Tessa Sayers, Assistant Editor
November 4, 2018
Filed under 2. Featured, Men's Basketball, Sports
Malik Ellison doesn’t count last Thursday’s exhibition game as his first real game, he’s looking forward to tomorrow. It may have been over a year since he last stepped on the court to play in a regular season game, but the captain isn’t nervous, in fact, he’s more confident than ever.
Men’s basketball pounces on Pitt-Johnstown, 78-59, in opening exhibition
By Trent Leonard and Andrew Kelly
November 1, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
The Pitt men’s basketball team kicked off its season in dominant fashion Thursday night, beating the branch-campus Pitt-Johnstown Mountain Cats 78-59 in an exhibition opener at the Petersen Events Center.
Capel will prevail on recruiting trail
By Stephen Thompson, Staff Writer
November 1, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
When Jeff Capel was announced as Pitt’s 16th men’s basketball coach this offseason, his aptitude as a recruiter was highlighted as one of his biggest strengths — especially appealing for a Panther squad facing an uphill battle to rebuild after going winless in the ACC.
Capel’s first year means improvement, not victory
By Cale Berger, Staff Writer
August 26, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Sports Columns
Pitt's hiring of Jeff Capel brought excitement and hope to the men's basketball program — but fans should temper expectations in year one.
Big changes bring big hopes for men’s basketball team
By Tessa Sayers, Staff Writer
August 20, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Welcome Back 2018
Pitt is competing in one of the toughest conferences in men's college basketball, and new head coach Jeff Capel is doing everything to ensure the team is prepared.
Capel’s first year means improvement, not victory
By Cale Berger, Staff Writer
August 20, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Sports Columns, Welcome Back 2018
Jeff Capel's impact on the men's basketball program is notable — but the Pitt community shouldn't expect his first team to take the college basketball world by storm.
Pitt basketball secures 4-star guard Au’Diese Toney
By Hannah Schneider | Sports Editor
June 2, 2018
Filed under 2. Featured, Men's Basketball, Sports
Jeff Capel landed another highly rated recruit when Au’Diese Toney verbally committed to Pitt today — joining Xavier Johnson, Curtis Aiken and Trey McGowens in Pitt’s class of 2018. Committed pic.twitter.com/U08k1gsDaF — A.M.T (@thefuturetoney) June 2, 2018 The Fayetteville, North Carolina nat...
Players with promise: Capel welcomes 3 top-100 athletes to Pitt
By Tessa Sayers | For The Pitt News
May 30, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
The first things Trey McGowens noticed were the bridges. He had never been to Pittsburgh before — but everyone in Pittsburgh already knew who he was. Just 28 days after Jeff Capel was named the head coach of Pitt’s men’s basketball team in late March, he was about to officially sign McGowens, Pitt...
Aiken basketball legacy to continue at Pitt
By Joanna Li | Staff Writer
May 4, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
The Panthers men’s basketball team secured a legacy talent Thursday night when North Allegheny High School senior Curtis Aiken Jr. verbally committed to Pitt via Twitter. ✅ pic.twitter.com/o7KDwZkQec — Curtis Aiken Jr. (@caiken_14) May 4, 2018 Aiken will join the team next season as a preferred walk-on, meanin...
Pitt gains first top-100 basketball recruit since 2013
By Trent Leonard | Senior Staff Writer
April 24, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
The Pitt men’s basketball team received its first verbal commitment of the 2018-2019 recruiting season today at noon when four-star recruit Trey McGowens announced his commitment to the Panthers via Twitter. McGowens, a senior 6-foot-3 guard at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., chose Pitt...
Luther leaves Pitt
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
April 18, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
The Pitt men’s basketball team got an answer to one of its biggest roster questions heading into next season on Wednesday night. Graduate forward Ryan Luther will be transferring to Arizona for the 2018-19 season, according to reports. Luther leaves a big absence in the Panthers’ already-depleted ...
Capel rounds out assistant coaching staff with hiring of Milan Brown
By Jordan Mondell | Assistant Sports Editor
April 17, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
New men’s basketball head coach Jeff Capel has officially rounded out his immediate coaching staff with the hiring of a third full-time assistant, according to a report from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Capel hired College of Charleston assistant coach Milan Brown to join associate head coaches Tim O’Toole and Jason Capel, both of whom Pitt hired as assistant coaches last we...
Q&A: Jeff Capel looks to rebuild Pitt basketball
By David Leftwich / Senior Staff Writer
April 16, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
After arguably one of the worst seasons in Pitt men’s basketball history, and facing the potential exodus of nearly half of last year’s roster, the program needed to make a change — so Athletic Director Heather Lyke hired Jeff Capel in March as head coach to bring the program back to prominence. The Pitt News sat down with Capel to discuss his transition from the Blue Devils to the Panthers, his ...
Capel hires Tim O’Toole, Jason Capel as assistant coaches
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
April 12, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
Pitt men’s basketball coach Jeff Capel hired his brother, Jason Capel, and Tim O’Toole to be assistants on his staff, according to reports Wednesday. https://twitter.com/GoodmanESPN/status/984087393371328513 O’Toole joins Pitt after spending the last two seasons as an a...
ACC releases 2018 basketball matchups
By Jordan Mondell and Trent Leonard | TPN Staff
April 10, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Top Stories
Jeff Capel and his new squad got a glimpse of their upcoming season Tuesday as the ACC announced conference matchups for the 2018-19 men’s basketball season. Pitt — who will be entering the season with Capel as head coach — will take on every team in the conference. Last season, the team went ...
Parker Stewart announces decision to transfer
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
April 6, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
First-year Pitt guard Parker Stewart announced via Twitter on Friday that he will be transferring from the Pitt basketball program. Stewart — who was also the first Pitt player to request his release from the program after the firing of former head coach Kevin Stallings — is the only player of the nine that requested their releases to ...
Column: College sports deserve diverse leadership
By Jordan Mondell | Assistant Sports Editor
April 1, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Sports Columns
Not only is Pitt’s new men’s basketball head coach Jeff Capel a star recruiter and successful tournament coach, he brings something to Pitt that the program has never seen before. Diversity. Specifically, Capel — a black man — is the first-ever head coach of any minority status to oversee ...
Capel is more than capable
By Brandon Glass | Staff Writer
March 28, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
Just when it looked like Pitt would be left out in the late March cold without a head coach, Athletic Director Heather Lyke, unlike her predecessor, made a bold decision. Lyke hired Duke assistant coach Jeff Capel Tuesday — 17 days after firing Kevin Stallings. Capel’s hiring comes as a pleasant...
Pitt introduces Jeff Capel as new head basketball coach
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
March 28, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
Pitt Athletic Director Heather Lyke introduced Jeff Capel as the next men’s basketball coach during a ceremony at the Petersen Events Center Wednesday. The gym floor was packed with University students and staff, including Chancellor Patrick Gallagher, women’s head basketball coach Suzie McConnell-Ser...
Stevenson, Wilson-Frame plan to stay at Pitt
By Jordan Mondell | Assistant Sports Editor
March 27, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
Two Pitt men’s basketball players who requested release from the program upon the firing of head coach Kevin Stallings are staying with program after Pitt hired Duke’s Jeff Capel Tuesday. According to a post on Instagram, first-year guard Shamiel Stevenson has no plans to leave the program, s...
Pitt hires Jeff Capel as men’s basketball head coach
By Jordan Mondell / Assistant Sports Editor
March 27, 2018
Filed under 2. Featured, Men's Basketball, Sports
Duke assistant coach Jeff Capel has been hired as Pitt’s new head men’s basketball coach, the University announced Tuesday. Capel has made a deal with the Panthers on a seven-year contract. This hiring ends a long, rumor-filled search for Pitt after former head coach Kevin Stallings’ ousting Mar...
‘Stallings 2.0:’ Fans react to Pitt’s reported interest in Mark Schmidt
By John Hamilton / Managing Editor
March 23, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
St. Bonaventure men's basketball coach Mark Schmidt interviewed for the vacant Pitt job Thursday, according to multiple reports. Days after learning Pitt offered Dan Hurley $3 million for the job, fans were underwhelmed -- to say the least -- that Pitt is considering Schmidt. https://twitter.com/AdamZagoria/status/977230454217723904 https://twitter.co...
Column: Don’t cry for Dan Hurley
By Brandon Glass | Staff Writer
March 22, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Sports Columns, Top Stories
Heather Lyke pushed in all the chips — in excess of $3 million a year — to get Rhode Island’s Dan Hurley to be the new head coach of the Pitt men's basketball team. But Hurley chose to stay in New England, accepting Connecticut's offer, reported to be less than Pitt’s, Thursday. Both teams showed their hands, and the Huskies’ was better — there’s no shame in...
Hurley takes coaching job at UConn, Pitt’s search continues
By John Hamilton / Managing Editor
March 22, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
Update: Hurley took the coaching job at the University of Connecticut, the school confirmed Thursday. Athletic Director Heather Lyke wants to make Dan Hurley one of the highest paid coaches in college basketball. According to CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein, Pitt has offered the Rhode Island coach more th...
Pitt men’s basketball future up in the air
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
March 19, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
The dominoes have started to fall after a tumultuous weekend for the Pitt men’s basketball team, which saw nine current players and two recruits request releases from the program. First-year guard Marcus Carr became the second Pitt player to be granted his release from the program Monday night. H...
Pitt grants Marcus Carr release from program
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
March 19, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
First-year point guard Marcus Carr became the second player from the Pitt men’s basketball team to be officially granted his release from the program on Monday night, according to reports from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Carr joins junior guard and forward Jared Wilson-Frame, who was granted his...
Report: seven Pitt basketball players request release from program
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
March 16, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
Seven players from the Pitt men’s basketball team have requested their release from the program, according to a report from ESPN. The Panthers have now received nine total requests for release from either current players or committed recruits since the firing of former men’s basketball coach Kevin Sta...
Parker Stewart requests release from Pitt
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
March 14, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
Pitt first-year men’s basketball player Parker Stewart has asked for his full unconditional release Wednesday, according to a report from ESPN. Stewart — who averaged 9.1 points per game this past season and who was emerging as a reliable contributor — asked for the reported release less than a week after for...
Column: When it comes to Stallings’ firing, the blame should be shared
By Brandon Glass | Staff Writer
March 13, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Sports Columns
In a time of uncertainty for Pitt basketball, one thing is for sure — former head coach Kevin Stallings’ tenure will go down in Panther history as an unmitigated disaster. In two years, the widely criticized coach managed to win just four conference games, go winless in the ACC during the 20...
Column: Potential picks for Stallings’ successor
By Colin Martin | Staff Writer
March 13, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Sports Columns
Pitt men’s basketball and the athletic administration are officially on the quest for a new head coach to replace Kevin Stallings. The mission is straightforward — find the perfect person to rejuvenate the program and return Pitt to its status as a basketball school. Just like any hiring proces...
Fans, players react to Stallings’ firing
By Grant Burgman and Jordan Mondell | TPN Staff
March 12, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
The firing of Pitt men’s basketball head coach Kevin Stallings didn’t come as a surprise to many fans and pundits. After a record-breaking losing season for the Panthers — going 8-25 overall and 0-19 in the ACC — a change of leadership was more than expected. But between reports of contentious contract ...
A year of firsts: Young team works to make change
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
March 11, 2018
Filed under 2. Featured, Men's Basketball, Sports, Sports Features
Pitt first-year guard Marcus Carr is no stranger to rookie success. As a first-year at St. Michaels in his native Toronto, Carr once scored a season-high 49 points in one game — and was instrumental in leading his team to the quarterfinals of the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Association...
Season in review: Men’s team has campaign to forget
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
March 11, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
Well, it’s finally over. The Pitt men’s basketball season came to a close last Tuesday with a 67-64 loss to Notre Dame in the first round of the ACC tournament, and the 2017-18 Panthers are now history — albeit for not-so-great reasons. Pitt finished the season with an overall record of 8-25 inc...
Players to watch during the tournament
By Cale Berger | Staff Writer
March 11, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Uncategorized
Each year the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament provides an opportunity for players to breakout on a national stage. College basketball legends like Christian Laettner, Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Shabazz Napier have all etched their names in history with their performances at the big d...
Slept on: 4 tournament teams you shouldn’t count out
By Stephen Cuddy | Staff Writer
March 11, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Sports Columns
Sleeper teams are the best part of the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament. Some will destroy your bracket, but if you bet big on the right school you may end up celebrating as much as the eventual champions. If there is one thing guaranteed about the tournament, it’s that nothing abou...
Photos: Kevin Stallings’ tumultuous two years at Pitt
By TPN Visual Staff
March 11, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Visual
Pitt fired men's basketball coach Kevin Stallings Thursday, ending his short, tumultuous tenure with the Panthers. Details of his buyout are still cloudy, but it's clear that Stallings will no longer be cheering and yelling from the Pitt bench. Here's a chronological look back at Stallings' two-year career at Pitt from The Pitt News' photo sta...
Uncertainty surrounds Stallings buyout
By Jordan Mondell and John Hamilton | TPN Staff
March 9, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
Pitt Athletics announced Thursday that Kevin Stallings would no longer be Pitt’s men’s basketball coach, but details regarding his multi-million dollar buyout are still unclear. Stallings’ lawyers, Scott Tompsett and Jim Lieber of Tompsett Collegiate Sports Law, said Friday that Pitt offere...
Stallings out as Pitt men’s basketball coach
By Grant Burgman / Sports Editor
March 8, 2018
Filed under 2. Featured, Men's Basketball, Sports
Pitt has fired men’s basketball coach Kevin Stallings, according to multiple reports, ending the coach’s tenuous two-year stint with the Panthers. Pitt confirmed the news later Thursday, with Athletic Director Heather Lyke thanking Stallings for his "commitment to our program." The news comes on the heels of a season that saw the Panthers go 0-18 in ACC pl...
Panthers fall to Irish in ACC tournament, finish 0-19 in ACC
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
March 6, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
For the second time in two weeks, the Pitt men’s basketball team made history in a loss to Notre Dame. The Panthers became the seventh team in history to go winless in the ACC after a losing to the Irish last week. They followed that up with a 67-64 loss to the Irish in the ACC tournament to become...
Imperfect Panthers: Pitt goes 0-18 in ACC
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
March 1, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
The Pitt men’s basketball team dropped its final game of the regular season Wednesday night at Notre Dame (18-12 overall, 8-9 ACC), 73-56, giving the Panthers a winless 0-18 record in the ACC and an 8-23 record overall. The loss gave the Panthers their first ever winless season in conference play, whil...
No. 1 Virginia vanquishes Pitt, 66-37, in last home game of the season
By Michael Nitti | Staff Writer
February 24, 2018
Filed under 2. Featured, Men's Basketball, Sports
The No. 1 Virginia Cavaliers secured their third ACC regular season title in the last five years Saturday afternoon. The Panthers also continued to set records, extending their losing streak to 17 in a loss against the best team in the nation. Despite low attendance this season, fans filled the lower leve...
Gallery: No. 1 Virginia hands Pitt 17th straight loss
By John Hamilton / Managing Editor
February 24, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories, Visual
While the No. 1 Virginia Cavaliers secured their 3rd outright ACC regular-season title in the last five years on Saturday afternoon, the Panthers also continued to make history books — extending their losing record streak to 17 in a loss against the best team in the nation. Despite low attendance...
Demon Deacons dunk on Panthers, 63-57
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
February 21, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
In a game where neither team led by more than seven points, the Pitt men’s basketball team battled fellow ACC bottom-dweller Wake Forest Wednesday but couldn’t convert enough opportunities down the stretch and suffered its 16th straight loss, 63-57. A home game against the Wake Forest Demon De...
Seminoles smother Panthers, 88-75
By Michael Nitti | Staff Writer
February 18, 2018
Filed under 2. Featured, Men's Basketball, Sports
For the fifth straight time this season, the Pitt men’s basketball set a school record — this time after an 88-75 road loss to Florida State on Sunday — extending the team’s record losing streak to 15. This time, the Panthers (8-20 overall, 0-15 ACC) kept it close — leading the Seminoles (19-8...
Boston College blows out Pitt, 81-58
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
February 14, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
The Pitt men’s basketball team entered Tuesday night’s game with the same goal as the previous 12 — to get a conference win and avoid being winless in the ACC. Boston College — who went winless in the ACC back in 2016 — had other plans as they beat Pitt 81-58 in front of a paltry crowd at ...
With Louisville loss, Panthers drop third straight by 30-plus
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
February 11, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
The last time the Pitt men’s basketball team played Louisville, Pitt head coach Kevin Stallings made headlines for yelling at a Louisville fan in the midst of a blow-out loss. This time around, Stallings stayed out of trouble — but the result was the same, as Pitt fell to Louisville 94-60. Pi...
Tigers thrash Panthers, 72-48
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
February 8, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
In the last game of it three-game road trip, the Pitt men’s basketball team once again suffered a blowout loss to an in-conference opponent. No. 16 Clemson beat Pitt, 72-48, and brought the team’s already-historic losing streak to 12 games. After shooting 39 percent from the field and coughing up 16 turn...
Panthers fall to Tar Heels, 96-65, set losing streak record
By Jordan Mondell | Assistant Sports Editor
February 3, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
The Pitt men’s basketball team struggled against No. 19 North Carolina Saturday night, but the Panthers didn’t leave Chapel Hill entirely empty-handed, taking home the record for longest losing streak in program history. Beating 10-game losing bouts during 1968-69 and 1992-93 seasons, the Panthers ...
Panthers swept away by Hurricanes, 69-57
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
February 1, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
The Pitt men’s basketball team continued its trend of poor play late in games Wednesday night at Miami. As in their previous two contests, the Panthers held a lead in the latter part of the second half, but they failed to maintain that lead and fell to the Hurricanes, 69-57. With Miami’s (16-5 ...
Panthers drop ninth straight, lose to Syracuse, 60-55
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
January 27, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
The Pitt men’s basketball team seemed closer than ever to winning its first ACC game of the season after Wednesday’s close loss to NC State. The Panthers came into Saturday’s home game looking to amend the late-game mistakes that cost them their previous match. Instead, Pitt (8-14 overall, 0-9 ACC) once a...
Pitt loses late to NC State, 72-68
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
January 25, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
Despite playing its best in-conference game of the season, the Pitt men’s basketball team came up short of a crucial victory and let a 15-point lead slip away — dropping its eighth straight ACC game, 72-68, to the NC State Wolfpack. Playing in front of a home crowd in the ACC’s late-night 9 p.m...
Point-Counterpoint: Stallings should go
By Colin Martin | Staff Writer
January 23, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
Currently winless in conference play this season and 4-21 overall in the ACC during his time at Pitt, Kevin Stallings has done little to establish Pitt or himself in the ACC. In two years, Stallings has coached the Panthers to a 55-point loss at home against Louisville and a 35-point loss on nati...
Point-Counterpoint: Stallings should stay
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
January 22, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
The Pitt men’s basketball team, under head coach Kevin Stallings, is currently 8-12 overall, with an 0-7 record in the ACC. That puts the Panthers in the basement of the conference. To make matters worse, they’ve struggled to keep games close — all seven ACC losses have been decided by 14 points ...
Blue Devils best Panthers, 81-54, for the second time in two weeks
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
January 20, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
Pitt men’s basketball suffered a major loss to Duke for the second time in 10 days, this time losing 81-54 on the road and falling to 0-7 in the ACC. The Panthers (8-12 overall, 0-7 ACC) committed 15 turnovers and made just four of their 16 three-point attempts while allowing four Blue Devils (17-2...
The Orange beat Panthers to a pulp, 59-45
By Adin Link | Staff Writer
January 17, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
Coming off a five-game losing streak, Pitt was looking for redemption in a matchup against Syracuse on a snowy Tuesday night at the Carrier Dome. Instead, the streak extended to six, as the Panthers (8-11, 0-6 ACC) fell to the Orange (13-6, 4-2 ACC), 59-45. The Panthers are still winless in the ACC, l...
Yellow Jackets sting Panthers, 69-54
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
January 13, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
Coming off of an embarrassing defeat to the No. 7 Duke Blue Devils, the Pitt men’s basketball team was poised for its first ACC win of the season against less daunting competition. But, a stout Georgia Tech defense was enough to stymie Pitt's offense and earn a 69-54 victory, leaving Pitt still win...
Luther ruled out for the season
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
January 11, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
The Pitt men’s basketball team has played its last seven games without its only senior, forward Ryan Luther, and on Thursday Pitt announced on its website that Pitt will finish the season without him. Luther went down during Pitt’s Dec. 9 game against West Virginia with a stress reaction in his right foot. On T...
Blue Devils dismantle Pitt, 87-52
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
January 10, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
A sizable crowd of Pitt fans were left in the stands watching Wednesday’s game, wondering if they would see their team score even half as much as the No. 7 Duke Blue Devils. The Panthers did, but not by much, as Duke crushed Pitt, 87-52. The Pitt men’s basketball team (8-9 overall, 0-4 ACC) continue...
Team of young men’s basketball players work on rebuilding
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
January 8, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
At the beginning of the season, The Pitt News — along with most other sports media outlets — placed the Pitt men’s basketball team at the bottom of its preseason ACC basketball rankings. The Panthers’ prospects didn’t seem too promising, considering they were bringing back just two players ...
Winter recess all but a break for Panthers sports
By Grant Burgman and Jordan Mondell | TPN Staff
January 8, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports, Women's Basketball
While most Pitt students were at home relaxing and celebrating the holidays, Pitt swimming and diving, wrestling and men’s and women’s basketball teams were still hard at work. Throughout the break, the Panthers continued to compete on the mat, in the pool and on the court, with mixed result...
Panthers fall to Hokies, 81-67, in third-straight ACC loss
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
January 6, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
Despite shooting an impressive 46 percent from three-point range, Pitt men’s basketball fell to Virginia Tech on the road, 81-67, marking the team’s third consecutive ACC loss. The Panthers (8-8 overall, 0-3 ACC) came into Saturday’s game as a team looking to prove that they could be compet...
Louisville dominates Pitt, 77-51
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
January 2, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
The last time the Pitt men’s basketball team faced off against Louisville was last January in a 106-51 defeat. While the deficit never got up to 50, Pitt’s most recent game with Louisville was similarly uncompetitive as Louisville beat Pitt 77-51 on Tuesday night. After starting conference play with a 67-53 ...
Hurricanes blow out Panthers, 67-53
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
December 30, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
Pitt men’s basketball (8-6) closed 2017 and opened conference play with a 67-53 loss to the No. 15 Miami Hurricanes (12-1) on Saturday afternoon at the Petersen Event Center. After an up and down month of non-conference play, Pitt entered Saturday’s game on a three game winning streak against ...
Pitt tops Towson, 63-59
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
December 23, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
After trailing for most of the game, Pitt took a late lead on a teardrop floater from redshirt senior guard Jonathan Milligan with 51.7 seconds left in the game. Milligan’s shot would be the deciding score as Pitt defeated Townson 63-59 in comeback fashion. Pitt (8-5) had to fight back after finding t...
Pitt narrowly beats Delaware State, 74-68
By Jordan Mondell and John Hamilton / TPN Staff
December 19, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
Pitt men’s basketball survived a Delaware State comeback Tuesday attempt to avoid losing to a team without a Division I win this year. The Panthers (7-5) had doubled the Hornets (2-11) by halftime and led by as many as 27, but won by just six, with final score of 74-68 at the Peterson Events Cent...
Panthers top McNeese State by double-digits, 72-51
By Jordan Mondell / Assistant Sports Editor
December 16, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
After a sluggish start, the Panthers basketball team found their momentum late in the first half and pulled away from the McNeese State Cowboys, winning 72-51. With senior forward and de facto team leader Ryan Luther out for the game due to a right foot injury, the panthers looked to other top seas...
No timeouts: Balling over break
By Grant Burgman and Dominic Campbell | Staff Writers
December 10, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports Features, Top Stories, Women's Basketball
Being a Division I athlete comes with undeniable perks — official gear, tuition aid and the chance to be on television. But athletes miss out on a lot — including enjoying a full winter break of relaxation and family. “That’s one of the sacrifices you have to make if you want to play Division...
3 times Pitt beat the clock
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
December 10, 2017
Filed under Football, Men's Basketball, Sports Columns
It’s those last-minute moments, when the game is close and time is expiring, that make a game exciting for fans to watch. Whether it’s basketball, soccer or football, buzzer-beating scores can turn a game around. Pitt has played in many incredible last-minute games over the years, but there are...
Mountaineers take down Panthers in Backyard Brawl
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
December 9, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball
Down 18 at the half, Pitt men’s basketball nearly mounted a second-half comeback, but West Virginia’s aggressive defense held the young Panther team in the final minutes. Though Pitt came within two points with six minutes remaining, the Mountaineers pulled away to avoid the upset, winning 69...
Panthers top The Mount, 82-78
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
December 6, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
After securing a 15-point lead in the second half, Pitt men’s basketball looked to be on a clear path to victory over Mount St. Mary’s Tuesday night. But after giving up that lead, the Panthers needed a last-minute bucket and an overtime period to top their mid-major opponent, narrowly winning 8...
City Game reclaimed: Panthers defeat Dukes, 76-64
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
December 1, 2017
Filed under 2. Featured, Men's Basketball
In an encouraging sign for the young Pitt men’s basketball team, the Panthers accomplished something that last year’s team was unable to do — record a victory over Duquesne, in the annual City Game Friday night at PPG Paints Arena. After turning the ball over a season-high 22 times in their prev...
Carr leads Pitt to victory over High Point, 71-63
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
November 28, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
Led by first-year point guard Marcus Carr’s perfect shooting performance, the Pitt men’s basketball team managed to avoid another home upset — escaping with a 71-63 win over High Point University Tuesday night. The Pitt Panthers (3-4 overall) did not score a field goal in the final four min...
Nittany Lions level Panthers, 85-54, in Progressive Legends Classic semi-final
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
November 20, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Top Stories
In a semi-final matchup of the Progressive Legends Classic versus Penn State, the Pitt men’s basketball team was annihilated by its in-state foe, falling 85-54 in a game that was essentially over by halftime. The Panthers (1-3 overall, 0-0 ACC) had nothing going for them in a blowout loss to the ...
Panthers chase down Gauchos, 70-62, claim first season victory
By Grant Burgman | Staff Writer
November 15, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball
The Pitt men’s basketball team came back from an early and consistent deficit to claim its first victory of the season with a 70-62 victory over the University of California, Santa Barbara Gauchos. Pitt (1-2) played its second game in the 11th annual Progressive Legends Classic Wednesday night ag...
Pitt loses to Montana with record-low attendance, 83-78
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
November 13, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Top Stories
Entering Monday night’s game, the Pitt men’s basketball team had not lost a home opener since 1996. Kevin Stallings was also the coach during that loss — but for the Panthers’ opponent, Illinois State. This time, Stallings experienced the defeat from the other side. The Panthers (0-2) committ...
Navy sinks Pitt, 71-62, in season opener
By Kevin Bertha / Staff Writer
November 10, 2017
Filed under 2. Featured, Men's Basketball, Sports
It took the Panthers more than 10 minutes into the second half to score a field goal, a disastrous drought that was too much to overcome as Pitt men’s basketball dropped its season opener to Navy. Pitt fell to the Navy Midshipmen 71-62 Friday night in the Veterans Classic in Annapolis, Maryland — ...
Pitt men’s basketball ices Slippery Rock for 71-59 victory
By Kevin Bertha / Staff Writer
November 4, 2017
Filed under 2. Featured, Men's Basketball, Sports
The Pitt men’s basketball team overcame a slow start marred by turnovers and foul trouble to beat Division II Slippery Rock 71-59 Saturday at the Shoot Down Cancer Exhibition Game. Head coach Kevin Stallings attributed the slow start to nerves from younger players, but was positive following the w...
Preview: Men’s basketball building from the bottom
By Brandon Glass | Staff Writer
October 31, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
If life were like the movies, this year's Pitt men’s basketball team could sneak into March Madness and win the whole thing. But life isn’t a movie, and Pitt will be lucky to win 10 games. The Panthers’ second season with head coach Kevin Stallings as the leader will start with as much unc...
Luther leads young squad in senior season
By David Leftwich | Senior Staff Writer
October 31, 2017
Filed under 2. Featured, Men's Basketball, Sports
As Ryan Luther watched all but two members of the Pitt basketball team depart this off-season, his dedication to the Panthers never wavered. “I knew I wanted to be here,” the senior forward said. “I knew I made a commitment coming out of high school, and I didn’t really want to be somewhere els...
Pitt center Ilegomah may sit out this year because of NCAA rule
By Ashwini Sivaganesh | Editor-in-Chief
October 19, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
Pitt basketball center Peace Ilegomah may be forced to sit out this year because of an NCAA rule limiting the number of years student-athletes can spend in high school. According to Sam Ferry, an assistant coach on the team, the NCAA has a rule that states players miss a year of eligibility if they...
Gallery: Courtside at the Cathedral
By Christian Snyder and Sarah Cutshall | TPN Staff
October 15, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Sports Features, Video, Visual, Women's Basketball
Pitt's men's and women's basketball teams opened their 2017-2018 season with Courtside at the Cathedral on Bigelow Blvd. Oct. 13. ...
Forget the Pete, hit the street: Pitt to play at Cathedral
By Abbot Zuk | Staff Writer
October 11, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Top Stories, Women's Basketball
The Pitt basketball teams are leaving the Pete behind Friday night, but for this spectacle they’re not travelling far. Migrating from upper campus to Bigelow Boulevard, the Panthers will be putting all of their skills on display under the lights outside the Cathedral of Learning. The men’s an...
Panthers prove professional worth
By David Leftwich | Senior Staff Writer
October 4, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball
With the NBA regular season tip-off only a few weeks away, a couple former Panther basketball players have found their way onto NBA rosters. After fellow Panther James Robinson struggled to get any playing time, only Michael Young and Jamel Artis remain with the chance to secure a spot on an NBA roster...
Men’s basketball adds guard Danya Kingsby
By Ryan Zimba / Sports Editor
September 2, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
Head coach Kevin Stallings and the Pitt men’s basketball team added their second commit in the class of 2018 Friday as 6-foot-1 guard Danya Kingsby committed to the program. Kingsby announced his decision on Twitter saying, “I want to compete against the best and I feel the ACC conference is the ...
Stallings needs time to execute plan
By Ryan Zimba / Sports Editor
August 21, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Sports Columns
“No wonder the Bucs lost last night ... what a jackass.” “Tonight was probably the only setting in which [he] was not the most hated individual in the place.” “Maybe he will throw his back out and be done for the season.” This was the reaction on Twitter when Pitt men’s basketball ...
Men’s basketball lands 2017 forward Kenechukwu Chukwuka
By Ryan Zimba / Sports Editor
August 8, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
Pitt head coach Kevin Stallings added the final piece of his 2017 recruiting class Tuesday, getting a commitment from junior college transfer Kenechukwu Chukwuka. Chukwuka, a native of Sweden, announced his decision on Twitter. “After a lot of thinking, I have decided that I’ll be furthering my academic and basketball career at The University of Pittsburgh,” Chukwuka sai...
Luther must manage unproven Panthers
By Wyatt Geller | For The Pitt News
July 11, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Sports Columns
With the season just a few months away, the Pitt basketball team is in desperate need of a leader. But for second-year head coach Kevin Stallings, the options are scarce. The loss of seniors Michael Young, Jamel Artis, Sheldon Jeter and Chris Jones leaves the team with big shoes to fill. Ryan Lut...
Men’s basketball releases nonconference schedule
By Ryan Zimba | Sports Editor
July 11, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
The Pitt basketball team announced its 13-game nonconference schedule for the 2017-18 season Monday as head coach Kevin Stallings has just under four months to get his young players ready to compete. A renewal of the Backyard Brawl rivalry against West Virginia University highlights the slate. The t...
Return to greatness: basketball alums compete in annual tournament
By Steve Rotstein | Senior Staff Writer
July 4, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Sports Features, Top Stories
More than seven years after Pitt’s memorable run to the Elite Eight came up just short against Villanova, then-Panthers point guard Levance Fields got another chance to reach a different Final Four — this time with $2 million on the line. But just like that loss in the 2009 Regional Final, Fields and h...
6-foot-8 power forward Samson George commits to Pitt
By Ryan Zimba | Sports Editor
June 26, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
Pitt basketball coach Kevin Stallings is nearing the end of the 2017 recruiting cycle and has only one spot remaining after 6-foot-8 power forward Samson George committed Monday. A Washington, Pennsylvania native, George is rated a three-star recruit by 247Sports. He is the first player in the class...
Pitt basketball adds adds two recruits, Chris Jones to staff
By Ryan Zimba | Sports Editor
June 20, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
After a tumultuous start to the offseason, second-year basketball head coach Kevin Stallings got a much-needed reprieve this weekend as two highly-touted recruits committed to the program. Even though Stallings and his staff are still putting together their 2017 class, the program got its first com...
Four-star forward Bryce Golden commits to Pitt
By Ryan Zimba | Sports Editor
June 16, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
The Pitt basketball program and head coach Kevin Stallings landed their first recruit in the class of 2018 Thursday, getting a verbal commitment from four-star Maryland forward Bryce Golden. Golden announced his decision on Twitter, saying, “I firmly believe in what Coach Stallings is building and I...
Basketball overhaul: Pitt’s 2017 class
By Ryan Zimba | Sports Editor
May 30, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Sports Columns
Coming off the program’s worst season since 2000, this offseason has signaled next year could be worse. The past few months have been some of the most tumultuous in the team’s history, with four seniors graduating and five others transferring elsewhere. As of now, the team only has two return...
Pitt’s ACC move fosters football, hurts basketball
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
May 29, 2017
Filed under Football, Men's Basketball, Sports, Sports Columns
In the four years since Pitt moved to the Atlantic Coast Conference, the decision to leave the Big East has both haunted and helped the school’s biggest sports — football and men’s basketball. For the majority of the 2000s, the University of Pittsburgh was a basketball school. Coaches Ben Howl...
Q&A: Stallings discusses transfers, recruits and “hard decisions”
By Ryan Zimba / Sports Editor
May 29, 2017
Filed under 2. Featured, Men's Basketball, Sports
Coming off its worst season since 2000, the Pitt men’s basketball program will attempt to rebound this year as head coach Kevin Stallings enters year two of his tenure. This season’s team will be made up of almost entirely new faces, with only three players returning from last year’s squad....
Pitt basketball lands Lafayette transfer Monty Boykins
By Ryan Zimba | Sports Editor
May 15, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
The 2017-18 Pitt basketball roster is taking its final shape with head coach Kevin Stallings adding another player Monday in Lafayette transfer Monty Boykins. The 6-foot-5 guard played just one game this past year, missing nearly the entire season due to a shoulder injury he suffered against Villano...