The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News
The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News
The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News
Toronto Raptors' Khem Birch (24), a former Pitt player, scores over Houston Rockets' Kevin Porter Jr. during an NBA game in Toronto in April.

Column | Former Panthers with the best chance to win an NBA Finals ring

By Will McGlynn, Staff Writer • July 6, 2022
Pitt has produced a couple of NBA prospects, four of whom are actively playing on championship-contending teams. Which begs the question, which former Panther has the best chance of winning a championship?
Pittsburgh head coach Jeff Capel works the bench during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Boston College at the Atlantic Coast Conference men's tournament on March 8 in New York.

Panthers land commitment from four-star guard, No. 37 high school prospect in country Dior Johnson

By Frankie Richetti, Senior Staff Writer • June 14, 2022
Dior Johnson — a four-star guard out of Southern California Academy — pledged to the Panthers just four days after backing out of his previous commitment to Oregon. 
Pitt sophomore forward John Hugley (23) scores during the men’s basketball exhibition versus Gannon at the Petersen Events Center in November.

Column | Recent additions put Pitt men’s basketball into ‘win now’ mode

By Richie Smiechowski, Senior Staff Writer • May 24, 2022
Since April 1, Capel has finally started to show some of the recruiting prowess he was so highly touted for during his tenures at Duke and Oklahoma.
Head basketball coach Jeff Capel watches from the bench as a penalty call dashes the Panthers’ hopes to upset Louisville in January 2020.

Column | Jeff Capel’s portal to a winning 2022-23 season

By Kyle Saxon, Senior Staff Writer • April 5, 2022
The road to constructing a winning roster will be long for Pitt men’s basketball, but early commitments and interests have shown that the road does exist. Senior staff writer Kyle Saxon outlines how he believes Jeff Capel can turn things around in one offseason.
North Carolina's Justin McKoy goes up during practice for the NCAA men's college basketball tournament in Philadelphia on Thursday, March 24.

National championship game features iconic programs vying to renewed history

By Zack Gibney, Senior Staff Writer • April 3, 2022
The two teams playing for the national title are a couple of familiar faces — Kansas and North Carolina. While the two blue bloods have been on the national stage before, their paths to New Orleans this season have been vastly different.
Lyke discusses future of men’s basketball program

Lyke discusses future of men’s basketball program

By Stephen Thompson, Sports Editor • March 22, 2022
Pitt athletic director Lyke fielded questions Tuesday from select local media, about the direction of the men’s basketball program, and the job that fourth-year head coach Jeff Capel has done.
Citadel sophomore forward Owen Spencer (23), left, and Pitt sophomore forward John Hugley (23) attempt to catch a rebound on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021 at the Petersen Events Center.

‘We have to win’: Pitt men’s basketball season in review

By Stephen Thompson, Sports Editor • March 16, 2022
As the men’s NCAA Tournament begins in earnest this week, Pitt will watch it from home. Its postseason drought has spanned six years and two head coaches. After completing his fourth losing season in a row, Jeff Capel has his back against the wall.
Former Pitt player Lamar Patterson (21) goes for a basket at a game in the Petersen Events Center in 2014.

Pitt fans, observers recall lackluster 2012 CBI Tournament run

By Alexander Ganias, Staff Writer • March 16, 2022
The 2011 Pitt men’s basketball season began with promise and ended with disappointment. Those Panthers won the College Basketball Invitational, but it’s a feat that some fans would rather forget.
Ohio State sophomore guard Eugene Brown (3), right, vies for a rebound during a game against Michigan State on Thursday, March 3, in Columbus, Ohio.

Preview | Pittsburgh welcomes Sister Jean, Collin Gillespie and more for March Madness

By Kyle Saxon, Senior Staff Writer • March 15, 2022
While none of the Division I programs from the Pittsburgh area will be participating in this year’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, the City will still be majorly involved in the beloved madness of March.
Duke University sophomore center Mark Williams (15) and his teammates walk off the court after losing to Virginia Tech at the Atlantic Coast Conference men's tournament on Saturday in New York.

Column | Previewing the ACC’s NCAA Tournament teams

By Zack Gibney, Senior Staff Writer • March 15, 2022
Five ACC teams are in the men’s NCAA Tournament field, a surprisingly low total for the conference with the most wins in the history of the tournament. Senior staff writer Zack Gibney looks at the burning questions facing each team entering March Madness.
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