Pitt men’s basketball is breaking in a lot of new pieces, and sports editor Stephen Thompson argues that Saturday’s open scrimmage offered a brief but informative look at how these fresh faces will fit together on the court.

In front of a few hundred fans at the Petersen Events Center, Pitt men’s basketball played an intrasquad scrimmage and gave a first look at the 2021-22 Panthers. The Blue and White teams split the event, with White winning the first 12-minute game 27-22 and Blue dominating the second in an 18-7 victory.

Pitt men’s basketball is in a much different place than it was six months ago. Six scholarship players left and one more was still serving a suspension while he awaited a hearing on three felony charges. Head coach Jeff Capel spent the following months repairing a broken roster and trying to breathe some life into a program deflated by a 2-10 limp to the end of the regular season.

The Atlantic Coast Conference released its 2021-22 basketball league schedules this week.

Former Pitt forward Justin Champagnie did not hear his name called on the night of the NBA Draft like he expected. But his disappointment didn’t last long. Shortly after the end of the second and final round, he signed a two-way contract with the Toronto Raptors and saw his first professional action last month at the Las Vegas Summer League, every rookie’s first stop after signing.

Former Pitt forward Justin Champagnie did not hear his name called during Thursday’s NBA Draft, but did find a temporary home at the next level nonetheless. A 2021 First Team All-ACC selection, Champagnie signed a two-way deal with the Toronto Raptors in the wee hours of Friday morning.

William Jeffress did something nobody else had done in some time — he asked how his coach was holding up. At just 18 years old, Jeffress has shown maturity and personability that is unmatched by most teenagers, setting him up to lead a new-look Panther team.

Dates and matchups for the ACC-Big Ten Challenge were unveiled on Monday afternoon. Pitt men’s basketball will square off against Minnesota at the Petersen Events Center on November 30.

Pitt secured its first commitment from the 2022 class in four-star guard Judah Mintz on Friday. Mintz chose the Panthers over Georgetown and Penn State, among others.

The reinstatement of Hugley — announced just last week — is the latest in a string of roster additions that have tempered the anxiety produced by a tumultuous offseason.