Wiz Khalifa kickstarts Pitt basketball at Blue and Gold Madness
By Alex Lehmbeck, Staff Writer
October 13, 2019
In a night filled with anticipation, basketball and celebrities, a performance from Pittsburgh’s own Wiz Khalifa capped off Pitt’s Blue and Gold Madness event to welcome the 2019-20 season.
Recruiting Roundup: Pitt basketball awaits a quartet of commitments
By Tyler Moran, Staff Writer
October 9, 2019
The Pittsburgh Panthers men’s basketball team has already secured its first commitment to the class of 2020 and now looks to add more elite talent. It recently brought in one of the most talented recruits in Pennsylvania and is in striking distance of a significant number of program-altering prospects. Pitt’s football team has also continued to strengthen its class of 2020 by stealing a highly touted recruit from bitter rival West Virginia.
McGowens, Panthers poised to take next step
By Kyle Saxon, Staff Writer
October 1, 2019
Pitt men’s basketball is still in the middle of a massive rebuild and that means their young stars will have to grow up quick. Sophomore guard Trey McGowens and his team are ready to take that next step.
“Don’t call me Ryan” Murphy could be the marksman Pitt needs
By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
October 1, 2019
With Pitt losing nearly half its 3-point production from last season, the Panthers need a shooter they can rely on. Enter JUCO transfer Ryan Murphy.
As Collier commits, expectations rise for Pitt basketball’s veterans
By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor
September 24, 2019
On Monday, Pitt basketball added the first member of it’s 2020 recruiting class but the program’s bright future will come with some tough decisions.
What you missed in a summer of Pitt sports
By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
August 25, 2019
From snagging heralded recruits to hiring new coaches and seeing former players get drafted, Pitt athletics saw several crucial developments take place over the summer.
Recruiting roundup: Pitt edges closer to star recruits
By Tyler Moran, Staff Writer
August 21, 2019
The college football season is just around the corner, but men’s basketball recruiting news takes center stage for the Pittsburgh Panthers in our final recruiting roundup of the summer.
The 6 biggest winners of the 2019 NBA offseason
By Michael Elesinmogun, For The Pitt News
July 16, 2019
The 2019 NBA offseason will go down as one of the biggest offseasons in league history.
Take 5: Once and future Panthers
July 1, 2019
The 2019-20 season gets closer every day. In this column, our sports staff salutes the departed women’s tennis program, guesses at the effect that an NCAA rule change will have on Panther basketball and looks at the future of a former Pitt running back.
The decline and rise of the Oakland Zoo
By Michael Elesinmogun, For The Pitt News
June 29, 2019
The Oakland Zoo lost its juice for a few years. But Pitt's famous student section is on its way back, just like Pitt's basketball program.
Recruiting Roundup: A wealth of talented football commits for the Panthers
By Tyler Moran, Staff Writer
June 25, 2019
The Panthers had their best day in a while on Saturday, when six football recruits committed to Pitt’s football program.
Recruiting roundup: Capel nabs Murphy but comes up short
By Tyler Moran, Staff Writer
June 4, 2019
The college football season is fast approaching, but basketball recruiting news commands the headlines for the Pittsburgh Panthers — most of it bad.
Hometown Heroes wanted: Pitt coming up short with local recruits
By Ben Bobeck, Staff Writer
May 21, 2019
Many of Pitt’s great players have come through the WPIAL pipeline. Now, is Pitt struggling to win local stars to its football and basketball teams?
Time to panic about Pitt basketball recruiting?
By Trent Leonard, Contributing Editor
May 15, 2019
Khadim Sy was the latest big man to spurn Pitt basketball, leaving many fans to wonder why the Panthers can’t seem to catch a break on the recruiting trail.
Recruiting Roundup: Pitt football nabs two 2020 recruits
By Tyler Moran, Staff Writer
April 19, 2019
Pitt football added a couple recruits to its class of 2020, while Capel's basketball club looks to round out its remaining scholarship offers for the 2019 season.
Davis and Ellison plan to transfer from men’s basketball program
By Stephen Thompson, Assisstant Sports Editor
April 4, 2019
Pitt men’s basketball announced its second player departure in three days on Wednesday afternoon. Sophomore guard Khameron Davis and junior forward Malik Ellison will transfer at the end of this semester.
Recruiting roundup: Champagnie chooses Pitt
By Tyler Moran, Staff Writer
March 29, 2019
With the men’s basketball season officially over and spring football in full swing, it’s time for some more recruiting news for the Pittsburgh Panthers.
Panthers leave paw prints on NCAA Tournament
By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
March 27, 2019
From teams Pitt beat to ex-Panthers playing for other teams, you can see Pitt’s mark on the NCAA Tournament despite the team’s absence.
Pitt men’s basketball: A season in review
By Stephen Thompson, Staff Writer
March 18, 2019
Through the highs and lows of the Pitt men’s basketball season, one important thing was evident in the end — progress.
Highs and lows of Pitt’s time in the tournament
By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
March 18, 2019
With no Pitt basketball to look forward to, we can only look back — so let’s take a trip down memory lane and reminisce on the highs and lows of Panther tournament yore.
Orange end Pitt’s season in ACC Tournament second round, 73-59
By Stephen Thompson, Staff Writer
March 14, 2019
A historic shooting performance from senior guard Jared Wilson-Frame wasn’t enough to contend with the Orange’s suffocating length and the young Panthers were sent packing.
Panthers prevail in first round of ACC Tournament, 80-70
By Stephen Thompson, Staff Writer
March 13, 2019
Pitt men’s basketball and its duo of first-year stars opened the 2019 ACC Tournament in dominating fashion, beating Boston College 80-70 Tuesday night in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Panthers look to make splash in ACC Tournament
By Ben Bobeck, Staff Writer
March 11, 2019
Barring a miracle of unprecedented proportion, the Pitt men’s basketball team will not be dancing come NCAA Tournament time this March.
Pitt snaps 13-game losing streak on senior day, 56-53
By Stephen Thompson, Staff Writer
March 9, 2019
While the Panthers' three seniors started the game, their young stars came up clutch down the stretch as the team pulled out its third ACC win in ugly, gutty fashion.
Free throw woes doom Pitt in 76-63 loss at Miami
By Nick Carlisano, Staff Writer
March 6, 2019
Turnovers, poor free throw shooting and bad rebounding prevented Pitt from coming out on top at Miami and the Panthers lost their 13th straight game.
Keeping up with Pitt’s recruiting trail
By Tyler Moran, Staff Writer
March 1, 2019
The Pitt News teamed up with Pitt Recruiting to bring you all the recruiting information you need to know to keep up with Pitt Athletics.
Pitt continues losing streak in 62-48 loss to Clemson
By Alex Lehmbeck, Staff Wrtier
February 28, 2019
Pitt Men’s Basketball team shot 23.8 percent from the field in the first half, where they managed to only score 16 points. The lack of offense led to a 62-48 loss to Clemson, Pitt’s 11 straight loss.
Tim O’Toole: Different ways to skin a cat
By Cale Berger, Staff Writer
February 27, 2019
On his path to becoming a presence on Pitt’s sidelines, associate head coach Tim O’Toole picked up some advice from the two winningest coaches in the business, Mike Krzyzewski and Jim Boeheim.
Top moments from Pitt men’s basketball so far
By Kate Hall, Staff Writer
February 22, 2019
Though fans haven’t celebrated a win in more than a month, the Pitt men’s basketball team has still provided moments worth cheering for.
Panthers lose 22nd-straight road game at GT, 73-65
By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
February 21, 2019
Plagued by a season-worst performance at the foul line, the Panthers fell 73-65 to bring their road losing streak to 22 games.
No. 22 Hokies hand Pitt basketball ninth straight loss
By Stephen Thompson, Staff Writer
February 17, 2019
Pitt men’s basketball continued its struggles in ACC play Saturday afternoon, falling 70-64 to No. 22 Virginia Tech at the Petersen Events Center.
Capel adds second 2019 recruit in Karim Coulibaly
By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
February 16, 2019
Jeff Capel added another much-needed recruit Friday morning in power forward Karim Coulibaly.
Boston College deals Pitt 18th straight ACC road loss, 66-57
By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
February 13, 2019
Pitt produced its worst shooting game of the season, making 29 percent of its shots en route to a 21st consecutive road loss.
Four-star basketball recruit Gerald Drumgoole commits to Pitt
By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
February 12, 2019
As a 6-foot-6, 200-pound small forward with a sweet shooting stroke, Drumgoole should help the Panthers as soon as next year.
NC State overcomes Pitt late, 79-76
By Stephen Thompson, Staff Writer
February 10, 2019
Pitt men’s basketball welcomed NC State to the Petersen Events Center Saturday afternoon and walked away with its seventh straight loss, falling to the Wolfpack 79-76.
Demon Deacons possess Pitt, 78-76, in overtime heartbreaker
By Andrew Kelly, Staff Writer
February 6, 2019
In a game that saw 10 ties and seven lead changes, the Demon Deacons made clutch plays at the right times to deal Pitt its sixth straight loss.
Pitt cedes to Syracuse for second time, 65-56
By Stephen Thompson, Staff Writer
February 3, 2019
Pitt fell 65-56 to the Orange, extending the team’s losing streak to five games.
Clemson’s hot shooting deals Pitt fourth straight loss, 82-69
By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
January 30, 2019
Clemson drained six of its first seven 3-pointers to put the game away early, leading to an 82-69 final score.
Pitt scores season low in 66-51 loss to No. 23 Louisville
By Stephen Thompson and Trent Leonard
January 27, 2019
Pitt fell back to earth in Saturday’s rematch, shooting just 35.2 percent from the field in a 66-51 loss at No. 23 Louisville.
First-year phenoms lead Duke past Pitt, 79-64
By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
January 23, 2019
Three of Jeff Capel’s most widely known recruits from the past year were the leading scorers in Tuesday night’s men’s basketball matchup versus No. 2 Duke.
Syracuse stifles Pitt men’s basketball, 74-63
By Stephen Thompson, Staff Writer
January 19, 2019
After being down by as many as 20 in the second half, the Panthers clawed back to make it a single digit game before ultimately falling 74-63.
Column: Pitt basketball’s rebuild is ahead of schedule
By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
January 16, 2019
It was supposed to be a rebuilding year for Pitt basketball, but a nationally relevant defense and a couple star-caliber talents have the Panthers ahead of schedule.
Pitt upsets No. 11 Florida State 75-62
By Andrew Kelly, Staff Writer
January 15, 2019
First-year Trey McGowens notched his second 30 point game of his career in Pitt’s upset over Florida State on Monday night.
No. 15 NC State narrowly escapes with 86-80 win over Pitt
By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
January 12, 2019
Panthers played exceptionally for most of the game, but made a few little mistakes that cost them what would have been a monumental second straight ACC win.
Pitt ends ACC losing streak with 89-86 overtime win over Louisville
By Tessa Sayers, Assistant Sports Editor
January 10, 2019
Pitt guard Trey McGowen broke a 39-year record and Pitt ended a 690 day losing streak on Wednesday night in its 89-86 win over Louisville.
Looking ahead at Pitt basketball’s ACC schedule
By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
January 9, 2019
If the Panthers win just one of their next 17 games, it will be an improvement over last season, when they went winless in conference play for the first time ever.
UNC slams Pitt, 85-60, in ACC opener
By Stephen Thompson, Staff Writer
January 5, 2019
The Panthers battled briefly with the No. 15 team in the country before ultimately falling 85-60.
Mountaineers maul Pitt in Backyard Brawl, 69-59
By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
December 8, 2018
Facing off against a team known for its suffocating defense, the young Panthers’ inexperience was on full display in a 69-59 loss to West Virginia Saturday afternoon in the 186th edition of the Backyard Brawl.
Pitt drops close contest to Niagara, 71-70
By Andrew Kelly, Staff Writer
December 4, 2018
After being held scoreless for the first three minutes of their game on Monday, the Panthers lost their first game of the season at home on Monday night. Pitt tried to rally in the final second of the game, but it wasn't enough and Niagara won 71-70.
Panthers handle Duquesne in City Game, 74-53
By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
November 30, 2018
For the second straight year and 19th time in the past 21 meetings, the Pitt men’s basketball took down its crosstown rival Duquesne, 74-53, in the annual City Game Friday night at PPG Paints Arena.
Panthers show promise in 69-68 loss to Iowa
By Michael Nitti, Staff Writer
November 28, 2018
Playing against the Iowa Hawkeyes as part of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge, the upstart Panthers led by six at halftime and took their ranked opponent right down to the wire in a back-and-forth affair.
Panthers overcome UNA, 71-66, to win fifth straight
By Stephen Thompson, Staff Writer
November 18, 2018
Pitt men’s basketball is off to its best start in the three years after beating North Alabama 71-66 at the Petersen Events Center Saturday afternoon to improve to 5-0 in the young season.
Wilson-Frame, Toney Lead Panthers Past UCA Bears 97-71
By Andrew Kelly and Stephen Thompson
November 16, 2018
Pitt Basketball is already week of last year’s team in terms of wins. The Panthers won their fourth game, a 97-71 win over the University of Central Arkansas, on Nov., 15. Last year, the Panthers didn’t win their fourth game until Dec. 1.
Pitt remains undefeated with 84-75 win over Troy
By Trent Leonard and Stephen Thompson
November 13, 2018
From the high scoring offense to the smothering defense, Pitt Men’s Basketball once again showed its not the same team as last year when it beat Troy 84-75 on Monday. You can read the full recap of last night’s game here.
Unproven Panthers show drastic improvement
By Andrew Kelly, Staff Writer
November 12, 2018
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
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
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
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 5, 2018
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 2, 2018
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 19, 2018
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
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 17, 2018
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
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
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
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
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 29, 2018
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
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
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
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
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 23, 2018
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
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 20, 2018
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
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
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
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 14, 2018
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 14, 2018
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
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 12, 2018
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 12, 2018
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 12, 2018
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 12, 2018
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
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
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
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
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
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
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...