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
First-year forward and Brooklyn native Justin Champagnie (11) was the leading scorer during Pitt’s 2019-20 season with 12.7 points per game.

Newcomers to shuffle Pitt basketball rotations

By Elliott Borawski, Staff Writer • March 18, 2020
With Pitt basketball officially ending their season with a record of 16-17 and 6-14 in conference play, it is time to look forward to next season. As the Panthers welcome new faces into the fold, there will be a fight for playing time and a different rotation will surely be in order for next season.
Femi Odukale hails from Brooklyn and is currently a senior at Massachusetts' Springfield Commonwealth Academy.

2020 guard Femi Odukale commits to Pitt

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor • March 17, 2020
Femi Odukale, the three-star Class of 2020 combo guard out of Springfield Commonwealth Academy, Massachusetts, announced his commitment to Pitt Wednesday afternoon.
Sophomore guard Xavier Johnson (1) announced he plans to continue playing for Pitt for his junior season.

Xavier Johnson quashes transfer rumors

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor • March 16, 2020
Johnson dispelled any notion that he’ll be wearing another jersey next season, tweeting Sunday that he plans to stay at Pitt.
There will not be an NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament this year.

Predicting the canceled men’s basketball postseason

By Kyle Saxon, Staff Writer • March 15, 2020
In a season that featured thrilling upsets and widespread parity, this year’s tournament was shaping up to be unforgettable. Using Lunardi’s bracket, I will highlight what I believe to be the best March moments that never were for the 2020 college basketball season.
First-year guards Gerald Drumgoole Jr. (4) and Justin Champagnie (11) celebrate after a 63-61 victory over Florida State.

Men’s basketball navigates frustrating second year of rebuild

By Alex Lehmbeck, Senior Staff Writer • March 15, 2020
As the COVID-19 pandemic disrupts the entire world, March Madness fans across the country are suffering from withdrawal after the college basketball season came to an abrupt finish ahead of schedule. But the cancellations and adjustments don’t impact Pitt fans much, as the Panthers’ exhausting season came to an end the day before the NCAA’s did.
Ryan Murphy shoots a corner three against Boston College.

Ryan Murphy to enter transfer portal

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor • March 15, 2020
Pitt basketball junior guard Ryan Murphy is entering the NCAA transfer portal as a graduate transfer with one year of remaining eligibility.
Sophomore guard Xavier Johnson (1) scored 16 points during Pitt’s 59-56 loss to Virginia on Saturday.

Sluggish second half stops Pitt’s ACC Tournament run

By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor • March 11, 2020
But in their second game in 24 hours, Pitt (16-17 overall, 6-14 ACC) looked like the same worn-out, beat-up team that they had been since conference play began. They ran out of gas in the second half against NC State (20-12 overall, 11-10 ACC), losing 73-58 on Wednesday afternoon. 
First-year forward Justin Champagnie’s layup is blocked by Syracuse.

Champagnie’s 30 propels Pitt past Wake in ACC Tournament

By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor • March 10, 2020
But at their most desperate, the Panthers were efficient, tenacious and energetic at the end of a dragging ACC schedule. And after trailing for most of the game, Pitt unearthed a new level of emotion. A 13-4 run in the twilight of the second half propelled the Panthers (16-16 overall, 7-14 ACC) to a 81-72 victory over Wake Forest (14-17 overall, 6-15 ACC) in the first round of the ACC Tournament on Tuesday evening. 
Duke's Tre Jones, left, drives against Miami's Chris Lykes during the second half at the Watsco Center on Jan. 4. Duke won, 95-62.

ACC Tournament awaits struggling Panthers

By Tyler Mathes, For the Pitt News • March 6, 2020
Next up is the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament starting Tuesday, where Pitt basketball will face a serious uphill battle to advance through the bracket.
Sophomore guard Au’Diese Toney made only three of 14 shot attempts during Wednesday night’s 73-57 loss to Georgia Tech.

Pitt basketball’s recent stretch defined by disappointment

By Dalton Miller, Staff Writer • March 5, 2020
Pitt hasn't looked hungry or aggressive during its seven-game losing streak, instead appearing complacent and fatigued.
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