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
Satire: Completely reasonable expectations for Pitt basketball

Satire: Completely reasonable expectations for Pitt basketball

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor • November 6, 2019
Xavier Johnson averaging a triple double? Trey McGowens making the leap to one of the nation’s top scorers? Pitt making a run at the ACC Championship? All very logical possibilities, writes sports editor Trent Leonard.
Trey McGowens (2) was the highest-rated player from head coach Jeff Capel's first recruiting class.

Pitt needs defense to protect the Pete vs. FSU

By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor • November 4, 2019
The turning tides of college basketball have brought new faces to familiar foes. After upsetting then No. 11 FSU last January, Pitt welcomes the Seminoles for a rematch on Wednesday night, eager to open the next stage of their rebuild with a bang.
Sophomore guard Xavier Johnson (1) attacks the hoop during Pitt’s 98-47 victory over Slippery Rock.

Takeaways from Pitt basketball’s SRU scrimmage

By Kyle Saxon, Staff Writer • November 1, 2019
A 51-point exhibition win against a lesser opponent might seem above analysis, but Pitt men’s basketball showed some strengths — and weaknesses — that could carry over into the regular season.
Sophomore guard Trey McGowens (2) scored 15 points during Pitt’s 98-47 victory over Slippery Rock.

Panthers rattle the Rock in season opening scrimmage

By Alex Lehmbeck, Staff Writer • October 30, 2019
Pitt men’s basketball opened the 2019-20 men’s basketball season with an exhibition game against Slippery Rock University on Wednesday, and it went about as well as a preseason tuneup game can go. The Panthers dominated, there were no injuries and the players showed off a few second-half dunks to get the home crowd’s attention.
Last year, Xavier Johnson established himself as one of the premier point guards in the ACC by averaging 15.5 points and 4.5 assists per game, and was the only player in the ACC to reach both of those benchmarks.

Pitt basketball embraces new emotional emphasis

By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor • October 30, 2019
After undergoing an offseason of cosmetic changes — to their roster, uniforms and home court — Pitt men’s basketball has shifted its collective focus above the neck.
Sophomore guard Trey McGowens lays up the ball.

Johnson, McGowens pilot Pitt’s budding ballers

By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor • October 23, 2019
Pitt men’s basketball is less than one week away from taking the Petersen Events Center floor for the first time this year amid high expectations. But NCAA Tournament bids — an explicit goal of this year’s Panthers — aren’t handed out in October. So how will they try to achieve that goal?
Head coach Mike Krzyzewski’s Blue Devils are poised to win the 13th ACC title of his tenure.

ACC Basketball Preview: Duke poised to repeat as champs

By Kyle Saxon, Staff Writer • October 15, 2019
While the top four basketball teams in the ACC are abundantly clear, the rest of the conference is largely up for grabs.
First-year forward Karim Coulibaly (12) contests a layup by sophomore guard Xavier Johnson (1).

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.
The Panthers are in a prime position to add two four-star players to the roster next 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.
Trey McGowens (2) was the highest-rated player from head coach Jeff Capel's first recruiting class

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.
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