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
Pitt star forward Justin Champagnie announced on Tuesday that he will "test the NBA Draft process."

Champagnie will “test the NBA Draft process;” final decision awaits

By Alex Lehmbeck, Sports Editor • March 23, 2021
The Pitt star announced that he will “test the NBA Draft process” this offseason.
San Diego State's Caleb Giordano (13) on the court against Boise State at the Viejas Arena in San Diego on Jan. 11, 2020.

March Madness sleepers: Predicting dark horses in each region

By Kyle Saxon, Senior Staff Writer • March 17, 2021
The Final Four has featured at least one team with a seed of five or lower in the past 10 NCAA Tournaments. While one of these under-the-radar teams will likely make a deep run, it’s difficult to pick which one will do it.
Pitt men’s basketball head coach Jeff Capel has a heated exchange with the referees during the Panthers’ game against NC State on Feb. 17.

Column | After three years under Jeff Capel, Pitt left with more questions than answers

By Zack Gibney, Staff Writer • March 17, 2021
At what point does Capel’s infallibility wear off? After a tumultuous 2020-21 season, the answer is now.
Mike McGuirl (00) of the Kansas State Wildcats controls the ball as Davion Mitchell (45) of the Baylor Bears defends during the quarterfinal game of the Big 12 basketball tournament at the T-Mobile Center on March 11 in Kansas City, Missouri.

March Madness Conference Power Rankings: Big 12 boasts unparalleled depth

By Dalton Coppola, Staff Writer • March 17, 2021
Knowing which conference reigns supreme this year could make or break your bracket. 
The Pitt men’s basketball team wore masks in a team huddle during its game against Saint Francis University on Nov. 25. Head coach Jeff Capel was gut-wrenchingly honest over the course of the past few months about how difficult this season was due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Column | Was this worth it: Reflections from a season covering COVID basketball

By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor • March 16, 2021
College basketball isn’t a great sport because there is something inherently “good” about a group of 18-to-22-year-olds putting a ball in a metal ring. College basketball is thrilling because of its pageantry and is deeply personal — especially for a student journalist — because you can write about a player dominating national television one night and go to class with them the next morning.
The New Orleans Pelicans' Steven Adams (12) drives to the net during the second half against the Toronto Raptors' Aron Baynes (46) and Fred VanVleet (23) at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, on Dec. 23, 2020.

Panthers in the Pros: 2021 Basketball Edition

By John Riskis, Staff Writer • March 12, 2021
From program superstars like Steven Adams to transfer departures like Ryan Luther, find out how former Panthers are performing at the professional level.
Senior center Terrell Brown plays against NC State on Feb. 17.

In four rocky years with sweeping changes, Terrell Brown embraces role in Pitt’s rebuild

By Ben Bobeck, Senior Staff Writer • March 10, 2021
Among it all, Brown has stood as a soft-spoken 6-foot-10 figure among the Pitt men’s basketball program, working quietly to serve as a brick in the foundation laid by the coach who did not recruit him.
Nike Sibande (22) recorded season-highs in points (12), rebounds (7), shot attempts (13) and minutes (36) against the Florida State Seminoles last weekend.

Pitt falls 79-73 to Miami in ACC Tournament’s opening round

By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor • March 9, 2021
Pitt men’s basketball entered the ACC Tournament desperate to pull themselves out of a downward spiral that goes back months.  It began when the Panthers (10-12 overall, 6-10 ACC) dropped a one-point contest to Wake Forest on Jan. 23, snowballed into a streak during which they lost nine of 11, reached its climax when junior stars Xavier Johnson and Au’Diese Toney transferred and ends with a 79-73 loss to under-manned Miami (9-16 overall, 4-15 ACC) on the first day of the ACC Tournament in Greensboro, North Carolina. 
Pitt star forward Justin Champagnie announced on Tuesday that he will "test the NBA Draft process."

Confounding basketball season to conclude with ACC Tournament

By Zack Gibney, Staff Writer • March 9, 2021
After a long and bumpy ride, the ACC men’s basketball regular season has finally come to an end, and there will be no shortage of storylines as the ACC Tournament approaches. The matchups were finalized after the completion of the regular season on Saturday night.
Pitt men’s basketball (10-11 overall, 6-10 ACC) fell short in a 77-62 loss at Clemson (16-6 overall, 10-6 ACC) on Saturday afternoon.

Pitt comeback falls short in 77-62 loss at Clemson

By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor • March 8, 2021
Pitt men’s basketball (10-11 overall, 6-10 ACC) was unable to overcome sluggishness on both ends of the court early. The Panthers’ comeback effort fell short in a 77-62 loss at Clemson (16-6 overall, 10-6 ACC) on Saturday afternoon.
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