Point-Counterpoint: Stallings should go
By Colin Martin | Staff Writer
January 23, 2018
Currently winless in conference play this season and 4-21 overall in the ACC during his time at Pitt, Kevin Stallings has done little to establish Pitt or himself in the ACC. In two years, Stallings has coached the Panthers to a 55-point loss at home against Louisville and a 35-point loss on nati...
Panic at the Pete: Wise, Johnson’s transfers cause for alarm
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
April 3, 2017
It started with a harmless announcement March 13. That’s when sophomore guard Crisshawn Clark revealed his intention to transfer from the Pitt men’s basketball team after missing the entire 2016-17 season with a torn MCL and meniscus. Clark could have provided some useful depth for the Panthers if health...
Leading returning scorer Cameron Johnson leaving Pitt
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
April 1, 2017
After having three players transfer in the past three weeks, the Pitt men’s basketball team is now losing its leading returning scorer. Redshirt sophomore guard Cameron Johnson is pursuing his transfer from the university. Johnson’s father Gil confirmed the news to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette early Sat...
Next year will be turning point for Panthers’ program after lost season
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 14, 2017
Now that we know the season is over for Pitt’s men’s basketball team — with no postseason appearance and no winning record for the first time in 17 years — one question remains. Where do the Panthers go from here? Some have called for the axing of head coach Kevin Stallings after just one year on...
Pitt holds on for 61-59 win over Georgia Tech in first round of ACC Tournament
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 7, 2017
It wasn’t easy or pretty, but the Pitt men’s basketball team held on to extend its season for at least another day. The Panthers (16-16) survived a last-minute rally from the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (17-15) to pull out a 61-59 win Tuesday night in the first round of the ACC Tournament at t...
Panthers drop regular season finale at No. 23 Virginia, 67-42
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 4, 2017
The Pitt men’s basketball team’s streak of 16 straight winning seasons came to a crashing halt Saturday afternoon in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Panthers (15-16 overall, 4-14 ACC) put on their worst offensive performance of the season in the regular season finale against the No. 23 Virginia...
Cameron Johnson and Ryan Luther named to All-ACC Academic Team
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 2, 2017
The Pitt men’s basketball team’s disappointing 2016-2017 season is almost at a close, but two Panthers earned recognition Wednesday for what they’ve accomplished off the court. Pitt redshirt sophomore guard Cameron Johnson and junior forward Ryan Luther made it onto the All-ACC Academic Team ...
No. 8 Tar Heels thrash Pitt on Senior Day, 85-67
By Ryan Zimba | Staff Writer
February 25, 2017
A little less than a month ago, the Pitt men’s basketball team played one of its best games of the season in an 80-78 loss against the North Carolina Tar Heels. On Senior Day on Saturday at the Petersen Events Center, the Panthers (15-14 overall, 4-12 ACC) gave no such scare to the No. 8 Tar He...
Shel-don Je-ter: Fans praise senior’s sensational showing vs. FSU
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
February 21, 2017
It was happening again. The fans knew it. Pitt’s players knew it. Hell, even Florida State’s players probably knew it. The Pitt men’s basketball team had built a 15-point second-half lead against the No. 17 Florida State Seminoles after a 3-pointer by senior point guard Jamel Artis with 13:1...
Jeter’s career-high 29 points power Panthers past No. 17 Florida State, 80-66
By Kevin Bertha | For The Pitt News
February 20, 2017
There must be something special about those throwbacks. “The shorts were a little short, but besides that, it’s all good,” Pitt senior forward Sheldon Jeter said. Rocking their retro royal blue jerseys, the Panthers (15-12 overall, 4-10 ACC) knocked off the No. 17 Florida State Seminoles (21-...
Feeling Pitted: Panthers find new way to blow sure thing
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
February 15, 2017
For almost 28 minutes of game time Tuesday night, the Pitt men’s basketball team appeared on the verge of a much-needed third straight ACC win. Then, the Panthers’ 11-point lead against the Virginia Tech Hokies unraveled in a way some might have deemed impossible — but was all too familiar t...
Panthers fall prey to Hokies comeback, 66-63
By Ryan Zimba | Staff Writer
February 14, 2017
The Pitt men’s basketball team entered its showdown with the Virginia Tech Hokies with a chance to extend its two-game winning streak and make a late-season tournament run. That momentum evaporated Tuesday night as the Hokies rallied to steal a 66-63 victory in front of a stunned Petersen Events...
Panthers stifle Syracuse for second straight win, 80-75
By Ryan Zimba | Staff Writer
February 11, 2017
After ending a month-long, eight-game losing streak that prompted some to call for the firing of head coach Kevin Stallings, the Pitt men’s basketball team is now on a winning streak. The Panthers (14-11 overall, 3-9 ACC) won their second straight contest Saturday afternoon, beating the Syracuse Orange (16-10 ...
Panthers snap 8-game skid with 83-72 win at Boston College
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
February 8, 2017
After eight straight losses, the Pitt men’s basketball team is back in the win column — and for now, out of last place in the ACC. Thanks to a vintage performance by senior forward Michael Young and workmanlike contributions from fellow seniors Sheldon Jeter and Chris Jones, the Panthers (13-11 ov...
Pitt almost shocks No. 12 UNC in 80-78 loss
By Bayard Miller | Assistant Sports Editor
January 31, 2017
Expectations were low for the Pitt men's basketball team going into Tuesday night’s game on the road against the North Carolina Tar Heels. After losing six games in a row and falling to last place in the ACC, the Panthers (12-10 overall, 1-8 ACC) were 19-point underdogs against the No. 12-ranked Ta...
Notre Dame stuns Pitt in OT on Vasturia’s game-winner, 78-77
By Ryan Zimba | Staff Writer
December 31, 2016
Saturday’s game had the makings of a special start to conference play under the new regime for the Pitt men’s basketball team. Instead, it turned into a heart-wrenching ending for the Panthers at the Petersen Events Center on New Year’s Eve. Pitt (11-3 overall, 0-1 ACC) dropped its ACC opener to the No. 2...
Pitt men’s basketball routs Omaha in second half for 94-75 win
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
December 21, 2016
Michael Young again led the Pitt men's basketball team with 24 points Wednesday night, but the senior forward offered a simple two-word response for how the Panthers took control of the game against the Omaha Mavericks: Ryan Luther. After scoring a career-high 20 points on perfect 8-of-8 shooting Satu...
Artis scores 31 to guide Panthers to 83-73 win over Rice
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
December 17, 2016
The Pitt men’s basketball team had a new name atop the scoring sheet Saturday night, but the result was familiar: a hard-fought, back-and-forth victory over a supposedly inferior opponent. The Panthers (9-2) defeated the Rice Owls (8-3) at the Petersen Events Center, 83-73, behind a game-high 31...
Pitt men’s basketball ekes out 81-73 win over Penn State
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
December 10, 2016
The Pitt men’s basketball team picked up another win Saturday afternoon, but again the Panthers made it much harder on themselves than it needed to be. Pitt (8-2) allowed only 22 points in the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions (6-5) while jumping out to a 20-point halftime lead. The...
Pitt men’s basketball scrapes by Buffalo for 84-79 win
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
December 7, 2016
The Pitt men’s basketball team appeared to be headed for a much-needed blowout win over the underwhelming Buffalo Bulls Wednesday night. Instead, it turned into another ugly nail-biter for the Panthers. After Pitt jumped out to a 26-point lead, the Bulls (4-5) completely outplayed the Panthers ...
Panthers suffer first City Game defeat to Duquesne in 16 years, 64-55
By Dan Sostek | Senior Staff Writer
December 3, 2016
For the first time in 16 years, the Pitt men’s basketball team left the annual City Game against Duquesne with a loss instead of a trophy. The Panthers (6-2) fell to their crosstown rival Duquesne Dukes (4-5) by a final score of 64-55 Friday evening at the PPG Paints Arena, their first loss in t...
Pitt men’s basketball stifles Morehead State, 76-63
By Dan Sostek | Senior Staff Writer
November 26, 2016
Three was the Pitt men’s basketball team’s lucky number Friday night. The Panthers (5-1) utilized a season-high 11 made 3-pointers to defeat the Morehead State Eagles at the Petersen Events Center, 76-63. Senior forward Michael Young led the way for Pitt once again with 20 points on eight-of-14 sh...
Pitt men’s basketball holds off Yale, 75-70
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
November 22, 2016
Pitt men’s basketball head coach Kevin Stallings admitted Monday that his team could use a third scoring option to go with seniors Michael Young and Jamel Artis. Sophomore guard Cameron Johnson was that third scoring threat in Pitt’s win over Yale on Tuesday, providing Young and Artis with just...
Pitt men’s basketball waxes Gardner-Webb, 99-80
By Dan Sostek | Senior Staff Writer
November 14, 2016
Despite his team’s easy 99-80 win over the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs, Pitt men’s basketball head coach Kevin Stallings was disgruntled after the game. “With all due respect to Gardner-Webb, I think we missed an opportunity to get better tonight,” Stallings said. “I was disappointed in our...
Panthers rout Pitt-Johnstown in exhibition matchup, 95-65
By Dan Sostek | Senior Staff Writer
November 5, 2016
While the Pitt men's basketball team's record still sits at 0-0, the Panthers looked ready for regular season play on Saturday. In Pitt’s only exhibition game of the season, the Panthers crushed the Pitt-Johnstown Mountain Cats, winning by a final score of 95-65 at the Petersen Events Center....
Pitt Men’s Basketball Season Preview: A New Era
By Dan Sostek | Senior Staff Writer
October 31, 2016
If Kevin Stallings were still in the Southeastern Conference, his roster — featuring an arsenal of returning talent and multiple all-conference performers — would rank among the best, a definite contender to make the title game in the conference tournament. But Stallings, the new head coach of the men...
Robinson, Johnson carry Pitt over Syracuse to advance in ACC Tournament
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
March 9, 2016
WASHINGTON, D.C --- Wednesday could have been the last game of James Robinson’s career. The senior point guard and his Panthers needed a win, sitting on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament field of 64 and Pitt's accepting an NIT invitation no guarantee. And with Pitt on the ropes, he did what...
Sheldon on the sideline: Jeter enjoying stint as managers’ head coach
By Jeremy Tepper / Senior Staff Writer
February 8, 2016
Although he would soon get revenge against Georgia Tech, Sheldon Jeter left the Petersen Events Center defeated by the Yellow Jackets Monday night in January. Jeter, a forward on the men’s basketball team, hadn’t played a secret game against Pitt’s ACC foes. Instead, his loss came from the sideline...
Pitt bounces back with blowout victory over Boston College
By Jeremy Tepper / Senior Staff Writer
January 16, 2016
For a brief moment, it was easy to question if the Panthers weren’t quite the offensive team they appeared to be, as a slow start against Boston College piled onto their sluggish effort against Louisville. 84 points later, it was apparent that the Panthers can still score efficiently on just about...
Gaining ground: Cameron Johnson bulks up in offseason
By Jeremy Tepper / Senior Staff Writer
October 6, 2015
Most students fear the “freshman 15.” Pitt shooting guard Cameron Johnson embraced all that and more with open, growing arms this offseason. Johnson, an unheralded 2014 recruit from Moon Township, arrived at Pitt as a slender 6-foot-8, 185 pounds boy — taller and lighter than the average colle...
Dixon, Pitt basketball need to up recruiting game to compete in ACC
By Jeremy Tepper / Senior Staff Writer
September 30, 2015
There was a time when Pitt basketball could compile northeastern-focused recruiting classes. Unfortunately for Jamie Dixon and the Panthers, that time has passed. For the majority of Dixon’s tenure as Pitt’s head basketball coach, becoming a regular season force and faltering in the postseason w...