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

Pitt men’s basketball players huddle at the exhibition game versus Gannon University Monday night, as head coach Jeff Capel looks on.

Men’s basketball hopes to recover from roster turnover in Capel’s fourth year

By Jermaine Sykes, For The Pitt News November 2, 2021
Pitt men’s basketball isn’t expected to do much this season, but those within the program see an opportunity to exceed expectations with a revamped roster in Jeff Capel’s fourth season at the helm.
Nike Sibande during the Pitt men’s basketball game against NC State last season.

Sibande suffers ACL injury, will miss 2021-22 season

By Stephen Thompson, Sports Editor November 2, 2021
Nike Sibande will miss the 2021-22 season after suffering an ACL tear in men’s basketball’s exhibition game vs. Gannon Monday night.
Femi Odukale (2) dribbles the ball forward in the Pitt men’s basketball exhibition against Gannon University.

Gueye shines as men’s basketball routs Gannon in exhibition, 89-64

By Stephen Thompson, Sports Editor November 1, 2021
Mouhamadou Gueye’s double-double, steady play from two lead guards and a second-half spark from William Jeffress propelled Pitt men’s basketball to an 89-64 win over Gannon in a Monday night exhibition game at the Pete.
John Hugley (23) attempts to pass the ball at the Pitt men’s basketball practice on Sept. 30.

Column | Frontcourt front and center in men’s basketball scrimmage

By Stephen Thompson, Sports Editor October 13, 2021
Pitt men’s basketball is breaking in a lot of new pieces, and sports editor Stephen Thompson argues that Saturday’s open scrimmage offered a brief but informative look at how these fresh faces will fit together on the court.
Pitt men’s basketball team played an intrasquad scrimmage at the Petersen Events Center on Saturday. Though it wasn’t an intense competition, the game provided early insight into Pitt’s new roster.

Gueye dominates in men’s basketball’s Blue-Gold scrimmage

By Stephen Thompson, Sports Editor October 11, 2021
In front of a few hundred fans at the Petersen Events Center, Pitt men’s basketball played an intrasquad scrimmage and gave a first look at the 2021-22 Panthers. The Blue and White teams split the event, with White winning the first 12-minute game 27-22 and Blue dominating the second in an 18-7 victory.
Sophomore forward Justin Champagnie (11) finished second in points per game and first in rebounds per game in the ACC. In comparison to last season, he increased his scoring average from 12.7 to 18.4 points per game, and his rebounding average from 7.0 to 11.1 per game.

Former Pitt forward Champagnie signs two-way deal with Toronto Raptors

By Stephen Thompson, Senior Staff Writer August 2, 2021
Former Pitt forward Justin Champagnie did not hear his name called during Thursday’s NBA Draft, but did find a temporary home at the next level nonetheless. A 2021 First Team All-ACC selection, Champagnie signed a two-way deal with the Toronto Raptors in the wee hours of Friday morning.
Sophomore forward Justin Champagnie (11) finished second in points per game and first in rebounds per game in the ACC. In comparison to last season, he increased his scoring average from 12.7 to 18.4 points per game, and his rebounding average from 7.0 to 11.1 per game.

Justin Champagnie declares for NBA Draft

By Dalton Coppola, Sports Editor May 10, 2021
After announcing that he was considering entering his name into the NBA Draft, star forward Justin Champagnie made it official Monday — the sophomore will forgo his remaining years of collegiate eligibility and go pro.
The Pitt men’s basketball team wore masks in a team huddle during its game against Saint Francis University on Nov. 25. Head coach Jeff Capel was gut-wrenchingly honest over the course of the past few months about how difficult this season was due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Column | Was this worth it: Reflections from a season covering COVID basketball

By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor March 16, 2021
College basketball isn’t a great sport because there is something inherently “good” about a group of 18-to-22-year-olds putting a ball in a metal ring. College basketball is thrilling because of its pageantry and is deeply personal — especially for a student journalist — because you can write about a player dominating national television one night and go to class with them the next morning.
Nike Sibande (22) recorded season-highs in points (12), rebounds (7), shot attempts (13) and minutes (36) against the Florida State Seminoles last weekend.

Pitt falls 79-73 to Miami in ACC Tournament’s opening round

By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor March 9, 2021
Pitt men’s basketball entered the ACC Tournament desperate to pull themselves out of a downward spiral that goes back months.  It began when the Panthers (10-12 overall, 6-10 ACC) dropped a one-point contest to Wake Forest on Jan. 23, snowballed into a streak during which they lost nine of 11, reached its climax when junior stars Xavier Johnson and Au’Diese Toney transferred and ends with a 79-73 loss to under-manned Miami (9-16 overall, 4-15 ACC) on the first day of the ACC Tournament in Greensboro, North Carolina. 
Pitt men’s basketball (10-11 overall, 6-10 ACC) fell short in a 77-62 loss at Clemson (16-6 overall, 10-6 ACC) on Saturday afternoon.

Pitt comeback falls short in 77-62 loss at Clemson

By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor March 8, 2021
Pitt men’s basketball (10-11 overall, 6-10 ACC) was unable to overcome sluggishness on both ends of the court early. The Panthers’ comeback effort fell short in a 77-62 loss at Clemson (16-6 overall, 10-6 ACC) on Saturday afternoon.
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