3 times Pitt beat the clock
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
December 11, 2017
It’s those last-minute moments, when the game is close and time is expiring, that make a game exciting for fans to watch. Whether it’s basketball, soccer or football, buzzer-beating scores can turn a game around. Pitt has played in many incredible last-minute games over the years, but there are...
Pitt’s ACC move fosters football, hurts basketball
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
May 29, 2017
In the four years since Pitt moved to the Atlantic Coast Conference, the decision to leave the Big East has both haunted and helped the school’s biggest sports — football and men’s basketball. For the majority of the 2000s, the University of Pittsburgh was a basketball school. Coaches Ben Howl...
Point/Counterpoint: Kevin Stallings
By Chris Puzia and Jeremy Tepper / The Pitt News Staff
March 30, 2016
The Pitt fanbase had a loud, pointed — and mostly unanimous — reaction when Athletic Director Scott Barnes announced the hiring of Kevin Stallings as Pitt’s men’s basketball head coach. With rumors and reports of potential candidates flying around in the days leading up to the hiring of Stallin...
Stallings From Grace: Stallings hire draws ire from Pitt fan base
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
March 28, 2016
John Enright has been a Pitt fan through and through. He started watching Pitt football at the age of 10 in the 1970s. He cherished Pitt’s basketball teams, starting with the 1978-1979 team, and eventually went on to cover the squad for this very paper in 1989. Enright has been a season ticket hol...
Pitt announces Kevin Stallings as 15th head coach in program history
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
March 27, 2016
Sunday morning, the Easter Bunny didn’t bring eggs or candy to the Pitt community. Instead, it brought a coach. The University of Pittsburgh confirmed various reports, officially announcing the hiring of Vanderbilt’s Kevin Stallings as the program’s new head basketball coach. Stallings has s...
With TCU job, Jamie Dixon receives deserved appreciation
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
March 23, 2016
At Texas Christian University’s press conference-pep rally hybrid introducing Jamie Dixon as its next head basketball coach, the school’s chancellor dusted off an old fact about the new hire. It was one that Pitt fans have heard broadcasters use as a talking point for the past 13 years. “But...
Pitt Twitter reacts to Jamie Dixon leaving for TCU
By Harrison Kaminsky / Managing Editor
March 21, 2016
News broke Monday that Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon would leave the program to accept the same job at Texas Christian University, his alma mater. Pitt Twitter reacted in various ways, with some congratulating the former coach and others lamenting the loss for Pitt. [<a href="//storify...
Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon accepts TCU job
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
March 21, 2016
For Pitt and men’s basketball head coach Jamie Dixon, the 2015-2016 season was unlucky No. 13. After 13 seasons at the helm, Dixon has accepted an offer from Texas Christian University — his alma mater — to become its new head coach, Pitt athletic director Scott Barnes announced at a press con...
Reports: Jamie Dixon considering accepting TCU head coaching job
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
March 20, 2016
The Pitt men’s basketball team was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament on Friday, but intrigue surrounding the program is just heating up. Gary Parrish of CBS Sports reports that Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon is considering accepting the position of head coach at Texas Christian University, Dixon’s alma mater, according to...
Basketball preview: No. 7 Wisconsin vs. No. 10 Pitt
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
March 18, 2016
STARTING LINEUPS PITT WISCONSIN G- James Robinson G- Bronson Koenig G- Chris Jones G- Zak Showalter F- Jamel Artis F- Nigel Hayes F- Michael Young ...
Pitt basketball notebook: Panthers prepare for challenge of Wisconsin
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
March 16, 2016
With madness impending, the Panthers are heading midwest. The Pitt men’s basketball team heaved their bags onto a Lenzner bus at the Petersen Events Center loading bay Wednesday afternoon, preparing for their impending flight to St. Louis to kickstart their 2016 NCAA Tournament journey. The team ...
Here’s to you, Mr. Robinson
March 15, 2016
Here’s to you, Mr. RobinsonJeremy Tepper | Senior Staff WriterA pint-sized, 3-year-old James Robinson plops himself in front of the television. His parents, Rayna and James Jr., sit on the sofa.With the remote in Dad’s hand, perhaps the toddler has a suggestion — maybe cartoons? Nope, the kid knows exactly...
Pitt basketball earns No. 10 seed in NCAA Tournament
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
March 13, 2016
The Pitt men's basketball team earned a No. 10 seed in the 2016 NCAA Tournament, as they will take on the No. 7 seed Wisconsin Badgers in St. Louis, Missouri. The team finished the season with a 21-11 record, going 9-9 in conference play. The tournament berth is Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon's 11th...
Panthers stung by Yellow Jackets in regular season finale
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
March 5, 2016
The Pitt men’s basketball team’s resume just got a little flimsier. Fighting for an NCAA Tournament berth, the Panthers fell in Atlanta to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 63-59. Pitt jumped out to an early 6-0 advantage, thanks to a pair of buckets by Michael Young and a layup by Chris Jones. A...
Slaying Devils: Panthers upend No. 15 Duke 76-62
By Jeremy Tepper / Senior Staff Writer
February 28, 2016
No one in the history of Pitt basketball has started more games than James Robinson. And, on Senior Day, his last contest at the Petersen Events Center, he was going to come out on top. After the Panthers fell to the Louisville Cardinals Wednesday, redshirt junior Chris Jones, who was a member of the ...
Unsung heroes Levitch, Luther shine in Pitt-Louisville
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
February 25, 2016
In a game featuring star players like Damion Lee, Chinanu Onuaku, Jamel Artis and Michael Young, one would expect the usual suspects to dominate. But in this season’s second meeting between Pitt and Louisville Wednesday, it was a pair of unsung players that came up big for their respective teams. I...
No. 11 Louisville utilizes late run to down Panthers
By Chris Puzia / Contributing Editor
February 25, 2016
While Pitt opened both halves of Wednesday’s matchup strong, its opponent heated up when it mattered most — at the end of the game. Despite leading for more than 23 minutes and receiving a career performance from forward Ryan Luther, Pitt men’s basketball dropped a home matchup to No. 11 Louisv...
Pitt basketball notebook: Improved Pitt defense readies for challenge in Louisville
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
February 23, 2016
One game after squashing the Syracuse Orange to a pulp, head coach Jamie Dixon and the Pitt men’s basketball team have Cardinals in their crosshairs. At a press conference Monday, Dixon and junior forward Jamel Artis discussed their defensive performance Saturday, what went wrong in their last outing...
Artis, Panthers take bite out of Orange in 66-52 road win
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
February 20, 2016
Apparently all the Pitt men’s basketball team needed was a dose of Vitamin C. Thanks to a late run of stifling defense, the Panthers (19-7, 8-6 ACC) picked up a key road win on the road, defeating the Syracuse Orange 66-52. Michael Gbinije opened up scoring in the game, nailing a deep three late...
After fast start, Pitt basketball looks for answers
By Jeremy Tepper / Senior Staff Writer
February 16, 2016
After a 14-1 start to the season, the Pitt men’s basketball team seemed like a shoo-in selection for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. That record came against a soft schedule, but the Panthers looked good, playing top-level offense with not completely inept defensive work. Ten games later, and t...
Panthers blacked out by No. 9 Virginia 64-50
By Jeremy Tepper / Senior Staff Writer
February 6, 2016
Going into halftime, the Pitt basketball team held all of the momentum. After facing varying deficits, the Panthers pulled within two at the break. But four minutes into the second half, it was clear that all momentum was lost, as the Virginia Cavaliers (19-4, 8-3 ACC) constructed a game deciding ...
Pitt defense must improve to ensure consistent success
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
January 29, 2016
Twenty games into Pitt men’s basketball’s 2015-2016 campaign, and one thing is abundantly clear: the team will have to win games with offense. The Panthers are a weak defensive team right now, surrendering open shots and points in the paint too frequently, allowing their opponents to consistently sh...
Pitt basketball notebook: Jeter nears return
By Dan Sotek / Sports Editor
January 25, 2016
Riding high off a comeback victory on the road against the Florida State Seminoles Saturday, the Pitt men’s basketball team heads south once again. In preparation for Wednesday’s 7 p.m. contest against Clemson University in Greenville, head coach Jamie Dixon, Sterling Smith and Jamel Artis met w...
Late three by Artis helps Pitt sneak out of Tallahassee with win
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
January 23, 2016
Pitt only led for 33 seconds of the second half. That was enough though, as one of those seconds occurred when the clock ticked from one to double zeroes. One game after failing to protect its own home court, the Pitt men’s basketball team stole a game at Florida State. defeating the Seminoles...
Jamie Dixon putting NC State loss in rearview mirror
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
January 21, 2016
With frigid temperatures and possible snowfall looming, the Pitt men’s basketball team will escape the tundra and memories of a loss earlier than expected. The Panthers will travel to Tallahassee Friday morning, hoping to move past a tough loss to the North Carolina State Wolfpack as they prepare t...
Pitt basketball notebook: Dixon, Robinson speak on NC State
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
January 18, 2016
Sporting a 2-0 record at the Petersen Events Center since Pitt joined the ACC, North Carolina State won’t quiver in fear against the 14-2 Pitt Panthers. Head coach Jamie Dixon and James Robinson talked to the press on Monday, discussing NC State players Anthony “Cat” Barber and BeeJay Anya as well ...
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...
Hapless offense dooms Pitt at Louisville
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
January 15, 2016
At the KFC Yum! Center on Thursday evening, the Pitt offense never tasted success. The No. 20 Panthers shot an abysmal 26.1 percent from the field, falling to the No. 20 Louisville Cardinals 59-41 in an ugly performance on the road. Pitt won the tip, and Michael Young quickly nailed a long two...
No. 24 Panthers hold against Georgia Tech to remain undefeated in ACC
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
January 6, 2016
The Pitt men’s basketball team gave up 84 points. The Panthers were outrebounded. They only shot 36.7% in the second half. Yet somehow, they won by five. The No. 24 Pitt men’s basketball team defeated the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Wednesday night at the Petersen Events Center 89-84, improving...
Young, offense highlight five keys of Pitt men’s basketball
By Chris Puzia / Assistant Sports Editor
January 6, 2016
It’s January, and Pitt men’s basketball is ranked — but, it’s still hard to predict this team’s future. Even after playing 13 games this season, a light non-conference slate and new team contributions have kept the No. 24 Panthers looking like a bit of an enigma. A 34-point win Saturday ove...
After early deficit, Pitt falls to No. 11 Purdue 72-59
By Jeremy Tepper / Senior Staff Writer
December 2, 2015
Despite clawing their way back into the game, the Pitt men’s basketball team finished Tuesday evening’s match with a whimper. Led by 24 points from A.J. Hammons, Purdue fought off Pitt’s sporadic comeback attempts to defeat the Panthers 72-59 at the Petersen Events Center. With 12:23 left in th...
Second half run propels Pitt basketball past Detroit
By Jeremy Tepper / Senior Staff Writer
November 21, 2015
For a brief moment in the second half, Pitt’s chances of beating Detroit seemed in doubt, with the visitors taking a one point lead. A 25-5 run, though, would wipe away any shred of uncertainty, as the Panthers defeated the Titans 95-79 Friday night at the Petersen Events Center. Detroit coach...
Pitt men’s basketball adds three in early signing period
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
November 18, 2015
With the early recruit signing period coming to a close, the Pitt men’s basketball team announced the three newest members of the Panther Hoops program. A University release announced that Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon signed three out-of-state recruits —Justice Kithcart, Crisshawn Clark and Corey Manig...
Pitt cruises to 80-50 victory over Gannon in exhibition
By Jeremy Tepper / Senior Staff Writer
November 6, 2015
It might not have counted, but the Pitt men’s basketball team surged on Friday night. With the season opener against Gonzaga approaching next week, the Panthers took the court for their first and only exhibition game, defeating the Gannon Golden Knights 80-50 at the Petersen Events Center. Though...
Rotation questions need resolutions prior to opening of season for mens, women’s basketball
By Chris Puzia / Assistant Sports Editor
November 5, 2015
As leaves fall and the air chills, the attention of Pitt fans shifts from the resurgent Panther football team to the promising campaigns of the Pitt men’s and women’s basketball teams. Hitting the court Nov. 13, for their season openers, the men’s team is prepping its suitcases for a trip to Japan,...
After trying offseason, Wilson ready for impact on court
By Jeremy Tepper / Senior Staff Writer
October 21, 2015
With the NCAA questioning his academic eligibility following graduation, Pitt basketball commit Damon Wilson was angry. Before the NCAA eventually deemed him eligible for collegiate play in September, it challenged the freshman guard and his teammates’ high school course loads. “When we heard they w...
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...
Catching up with Tray Woodall
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
September 21, 2015
After seeing the court for 139 games over his Pitt career that spanned from 2008 to 2013, former star point guard Tray Woodall left the University and trekked the globe. Since leaving Oakland, Woodall has played professionally in Turkey, Greece, Kosovo and Mexico, serving as a role player throughout his...
Damon Wilson cleared academically, eligible immediately
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
September 10, 2015
The NCAA has cleared Pitt freshman point guard Damon Wilson academically, Pitt confirmed on Thursday. "We had great confidence that Damon was going to be fine academically, and we got the word yesterday [that he was cleared]," Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon said at a press conference Thursday. "It's...
Pitt announces addition of Milligan to 2015-2016 roster
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
September 1, 2015
The Pitt men’s basketball team picked up a last-minute addition to its 2016 class on Tuesday, as it officially announced the signing of former Kilgore College point guard Jonathan Milligan. Milligan, a 6-foot-2, 170-pound point guard, averaged 14.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game last y...
Dixon talks changes, expectations for Pitt basketball roster
By Jeremy Tepper / Senior Staff Writer
August 30, 2015
Change isn’t always good — but as is the case of the 2015 Pitt basketball team, change was necessary. Following a 19-15 record and a first-round NIT exit last season, head coach Jamie Dixon has seen the makeup of his Pitt basketball roster change drastically, losing Cameron Wright and Durand Johnson...
Pitt begins Maui Invitational with Chaminade
By Dan Sostek / Assistant Sports Editor
November 23, 2014
The Pitt men’s basketball team prepares to kick off the tournament portion of the 2014 EA SPORTS Maui Invitational beginning on Monday. This is a breakdown of the rest of the field.Chaminade: Serving as the host school for the invitational, the Division II Chaminade Silverswords are Pitt’s first-round ...
Jamie Dixon
By Bobby Mizia | Visual Editor
February 17, 2014
Jamie Dixon's teams are ranked favorably by Pomeroy's analyses each season.