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
Staff writer Michael Elisenmogun gave Xavier Johnson a C- grade for his performance against Robert Morris University.

Report card: McGowens passes RMU with flying colors

By Michael Elesinmogun, Staff Writer • November 13, 2019
Pitt looked like an improved team across the board against RMU, led by a breakthrough performance from sophomore guard Trey McGowens.
The Panthers lost their first game of the season to Nicholls State 75-70 Saturday.

Report card: Panthers flop following Florida State win

By Michael Elesinmogun, Staff Writer • November 10, 2019
The Panthers lost their first game of the season to Nicholls State 75-70 Saturday. After opening their season with a statement win over conference foe Florida State earlier in the week, the Panthers earned a failing grade for their disappointing and inexplicable loss to the Colonels this past weekend.
Sophomore Xavier Johnson (1) rushes around Nicholls State's defense.

Panthers fall victim to post-FSU hangover, Nicholls, 75-70

By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor • November 9, 2019
Pitt men’s basketball fell victim to a post-Florida State hangover and lost 75-70 to Nicholls State on Saturday afternoon. Now, Jeff Capel and his squad are forced to revisit their preseason mantra before a road contest with Robert Morris.
Junior guard Ryan Murphy (24) scored 13 points on Florida State during the Panthers' 63-61 over the Seminoles.

Agree to disagree: Gauging the take meter after Pitt-FSU

By Sean Tierney and Kyle Saxon, Staff Writers • November 8, 2019
Two TPN staff writers break down which of the emerging takes from Pitt's first game are valid and which are simply bogus.
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?
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.
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