Pitt Football gains 11 recruits
By Joanna Li | Senior Staff Writer
June 20, 2018
Entering June with zero commitments from the 2019 recruiting class, Pitt’s football team found itself stuck with a late start to its recruiting trail. But despite the slow start, the pace suddenly changed as the the count rocketed to 11 commits in just one weekend, with nine of those players verbally ...
5 Panthers drafted to MLB
By Michael Nitti | Staff Writer
June 20, 2018
After finishing the regular season as the 12th seed in the ACC Tournament, the Pitt men’s baseball team pulled off two incredible upsets against eighth-seeded Georgia Tech and top overall seed North Carolina. Although the Panthers would go on to lose in the semifinal to Louisville, it was a strong ...
Column: Lyke is what Pitt Athletics needs for steady success
By Colin Martin | Staff Writer
May 30, 2018
The best way to build a strong athletic program involves consistency and a direction. It’s very difficult for schools to form their own identity with constantly changing leadership as Pitt has experienced over the past decade with seven different head football coaches. But Pitt now officially has...
Future ACC Studio offers opportunities for Pitt students
By Stephen Cuddy | Staff Writer
May 30, 2018
After claiming two conference championships, hiring new basketball coaches and entering the 2018-19 season with a promising young quarterback, Pitt Athletics seem to be entering a period of success. Further proof of that success is is the promise of a new media studio and the projected August 2019 ...
Pre-season preparation: Volleyball and soccer teams train in the offseason
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
May 30, 2018
The beginning of summer sounds like freedom for many Pitt students. But for student athletes, it is just the beginning of a long grind that will continue from now until the end of their season. For the women’s volleyball and men’s soccer teams, there are a few athletes who will stay on campus...
Panther pride: O’Neill, Whitehead and Maddox’s journeys to the NFL
By Trent Leonard | Senior Staff Writer
May 30, 2018
Pitt’s 2018 NFL Draft selections — offensive lineman Brian O’Neill, safety Jordan Whitehead and cornerback Avonte Maddox — all share common skills that made them appealing to professional teams — positional diversity and exceptional speed. Had these athletes played for different college teams, they may ...
Pitt Softball loses ACC Championship game
By Stephen Cuddy | Staff Writer
May 16, 2018
The Panthers softball team finished its most successful season yet with a 33-18-1 record, earning head coach Holly Aprile the ACC Coach of the Year honor. With two victories over Louisville earlier this month, the Panthers ended the season as ACC Coastal Champions for the first time in school history — and...
Weekend recap: Panthers break records, keep winning on track and field
By Stephen Cuddy | Staff Writer
April 23, 2018
The Panthers come out of this weekend with records set on the track and with both the baseball and softball teams continuing their winning ways on the diamond. As students fight through finals this week, the Panthers are sprinting through the finish line. Baseball Pitt went 2-1 this weekend against Miami, moving th...
Panthers put out Golden Flashes, 6-4
By Michael Nitti | Staff Writer
April 19, 2018
Pitt softball moved to within two games of first place in the ACC coastal division after winning their second game in a row, 6-4, against the Kent State Golden Flashes Wednesday. Coming off a series win against Georgia Tech, the Panthers (23-16-1) looked to remain on track on what’s been a somewh...
Golden Flashes blind Panthers, 2-0
By Michael Nitti | Staff Writer
April 19, 2018
After winning a huge series against Georgia Tech this past weekend, Pitt baseball looked to stay hot and get revenge on nonconference opponent Kent State. In the second of two matchups between the two clubs this season, Pitt failed to get a runner across home, losing 2-0. The Panthers (19-15) suffered a shutout loss...
Pitt hires Lance White as women’s basketball coach
By Jordan Mondell | Assistant Sports Editor
April 18, 2018
Florida State associate head coach Lance White has been hired as Pitt’s new head women’s basketball coach, the University announced Wednesday. Lance, who was named the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association assistant coach of the year in 2017, was hired by Pitt Athletic Director Heather Lyke ...
Q&A: Jeff Capel looks to rebuild Pitt basketball
By David Leftwich / Senior Staff Writer
April 17, 2018
After arguably one of the worst seasons in Pitt men’s basketball history, and facing the potential exodus of nearly half of last year’s roster, the program needed to make a change — so Athletic Director Heather Lyke hired Jeff Capel in March as head coach to bring the program back to prominence. The Pitt News sat down with Capel to discuss his transition from the Blue Devils to the Panthers, his ...
Capel hires Tim O’Toole, Jason Capel as assistant coaches
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
April 12, 2018
Pitt men’s basketball coach Jeff Capel hired his brother, Jason Capel, and Tim O’Toole to be assistants on his staff, according to reports Wednesday. https://twitter.com/GoodmanESPN/status/984087393371328513 O’Toole joins Pitt after spending the last two seasons as an a...
Mountaineers maul Panthers, 12-1
By Michael Nitti | Staff Writer
April 12, 2018
Pitt’s bats fell silent on Wednesday as they were unable to score more than one run for the third straight game, losing 12-1 to the West Virginia Mountaineers in Morgantown. West Virginia’s (15-15) offense found life against Pitt (17-13) in the 195th Backyard Brawl and handed the second straigh...
Pitt gymnastics sets the bar with record-breaking season
By Jon Shaiken | Staff Writer
April 10, 2018
Looking back on Pitt’s season, it is hard not to be impressed with the progress the gymnastics team has made under first-year head coach Samantha Snider. Despite finishing at a meager 7-18, new program records and history-making performances defined the Panthers’ season. The Panthers closed out their 2018 season Ap...
Panther Spotlight: Liam Sabino, Kayla Harris, Claudia Bartolome
By Alex Lehmbeck | Staff Writer
April 10, 2018
Conference play is well underway for spring sports, with some Pitt teams performing much better than others. As regular seasons come to a close, here are some standout athletes of the last few weeks. Liam Sabino After dropping its first three series in ACC play against Virginia Tech, North Ca...
Parker Stewart announces decision to transfer
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
April 6, 2018
First-year Pitt guard Parker Stewart announced via Twitter on Friday that he will be transferring from the Pitt basketball program. Stewart — who was also the first Pitt player to request his release from the program after the firing of former head coach Kevin Stallings — is the only player of the nine that requested their releases to ...
Q&A: Desiree Garland gets gold for Pitt
By David Leftwich | Senior Staff Writer
April 6, 2018
Senior Desiree Garland never intended to become a collegiate sprinter — she began her high school career as a jumper. But after she finished with the best 400-meter time in replacement of a missing teammate at one high school meet, Garland’s path as a sprinter was set. She claimed Pitt’s fi...
Panthers fall flat on the track in Texas
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
March 30, 2018
In the scorching Texas heat, five Pittsburgh track athletes competed in the annual Texas Relays — the second biggest relays in the country — at the University of Texas at Austin. The Panthers sent four women — seniors Morgan Harvey, Quadaisha Newkirk and Lalia Ismail and first year Breanna Phil...
Capel is more than capable
By Brandon Glass | Staff Writer
March 29, 2018
Just when it looked like Pitt would be left out in the late March cold without a head coach, Athletic Director Heather Lyke, unlike her predecessor, made a bold decision. Lyke hired Duke assistant coach Jeff Capel Tuesday — 17 days after firing Kevin Stallings. Capel’s hiring comes as a pleasant...
Pitt introduces Jeff Capel as new head basketball coach
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
March 28, 2018
Pitt Athletic Director Heather Lyke introduced Jeff Capel as the next men’s basketball coach during a ceremony at the Petersen Events Center Wednesday. The gym floor was packed with University students and staff, including Chancellor Patrick Gallagher, women’s head basketball coach Suzie McConnell-Ser...
Pitt looks overseas for latest lineman
By Alex Lehmbeck | Staff Writer
March 27, 2018
Although a growing demographic, international college football players are hard to find. According to The Growth of a Game, a Belgian-based company connecting football advocates across Europe, only two active Division I college football players were born in Italy as of 2015. Incoming Pitt commit Haba...
Panthers put on show for pro scouts
By Mackenzie Rodrigues | Contributing Editor
March 22, 2018
The newest Panther football players are just getting used to life in Oakland at spring practices. The draft-eligible former players, however, had a chance Wednesday morning to impress NFL scouts and potentially find their new homes. Representatives for all 32 NFL teams gathered in the UPMC Rooney...
Bentley brings brute force to Pitt D-line
By Alex Lehmbeck | Staff Writer
March 20, 2018
Rivalries are just for fans? Don’t tell that to 2018 Pitt commit Tyler Bentley. He is looking forward to the Panthers’ battles with one in-state foe as much as anyone else. “The one thing I’m looking forward to is playing Penn State, for sure,” Bentley said. “I have a couple of friends t...
Pitt men’s basketball future up in the air
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
March 20, 2018
The dominoes have started to fall after a tumultuous weekend for the Pitt men’s basketball team, which saw nine current players and two recruits request releases from the program. First-year guard Marcus Carr became the second Pitt player to be granted his release from the program Monday night. H...
Pitt grants Marcus Carr release from program
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
March 19, 2018
First-year point guard Marcus Carr became the second player from the Pitt men’s basketball team to be officially granted his release from the program on Monday night, according to reports from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Carr joins junior guard and forward Jared Wilson-Frame, who was granted his...
Weekend recap: Pitt track leads the way in disappointing weekend
By Michael Nitti | Staff Writer
March 19, 2018
It was an up-and-down weekend for Pitt athletics, as some Panthers were at the hands of crushing defeat, while others found themselves above all the rest. Although baseball and women’s tennis struggled and gymnastics came up just short, softball and track and field both found success in North Carolina...
Swimming and diving seniors sent off at championships
By Stephen Cuddy | Staff Writer
March 19, 2018
The Pitt swimming and diving team said goodbye to some of its most accomplished female divers in program history at the NCAA Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships in Columbus, Ohio, this past weekend. The Panthers had four athletes compete across seven events, with two earning top-25 finishes...
Panthers tap out early at NCAA championships
By Stephen Cuddy | Staff Writer
March 18, 2018
The NCAA Wrestling Championships took place this past weekend at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Pitt was represented by senior Dom Forys, redshirt sophomore Taleb Rahmani and redshirt seniors Nick Zanetta and Ryan Solomon. Forys and Rahmani provided the only highlights of the Panthers’ tournament...
Report: seven Pitt basketball players request release from program
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
March 16, 2018
Seven players from the Pitt men’s basketball team have requested their release from the program, according to a report from ESPN. The Panthers have now received nine total requests for release from either current players or committed recruits since the firing of former men’s basketball coach Kevin Sta...
Panther Spotlight: Giorgiona Zeremenko, Matt Pidich, Lydia Rosenthall, Dom Forys
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
March 15, 2018
While the Pitt swimming and wrestling teams send their top individuals to compete at end-of-season tournaments, the baseball and softball squads are just beginning to get into the swing of things. Here are some of the Panthers’ top performers during the transition from winter to spring sports. Gio...
Pitt brings new quarterback to town
By Alex Lehmbeck | Staff Writer
March 15, 2018
Pitt football midyear junior college enrollee Ricky Town comes to Oakland with three years of college experience spanning three different schools. But despite his winding journey across college football, the quarterback has yet to play a single snap of Division I football. Town was aggressively...
Idowu gets set for senior season
By Michael Nitti | Staff Writer
March 14, 2018
Pitt senior linebacker Oluwaseun Idowu first came to Oakland from North Allegheny High School in 2014. There, Idowu played running back but transitioned to linebacker shortly after walking onto the Pitt football team in the fall of 2014. After redshirting his first year, it wasn’t until his second s...
Parker Stewart requests release from Pitt
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
March 14, 2018
Pitt first-year men’s basketball player Parker Stewart has asked for his full unconditional release Wednesday, according to a report from ESPN. Stewart — who averaged 9.1 points per game this past season and who was emerging as a reliable contributor — asked for the reported release less than a week after for...
Touching base with the Panthers after break
By Max Sirianni | Staff Writer
March 13, 2018
Spring break was anything but for the Pitt baseball and softball teams, as both found themselves involved in heated competition over the past week. Both teams found mixed results, the baseball team earning its first conference win of the season and the softball team ending break with a three-game losing ...
Panthers stay busy on break
By Jon Shaken | Staff Writer
March 13, 2018
While students fled to warm weather and sandy beaches over break, Pitt sports had a busy week. The women’s diving team saw members qualify for nationals, but gymnastics fell short despite a solid performance. Tennis had mixed results and is still seeking the team’s first ACC win, even with near p...
Fans, players react to Stallings’ firing
By Grant Burgman and Jordan Mondell | TPN Staff
March 12, 2018
The firing of Pitt men’s basketball head coach Kevin Stallings didn’t come as a surprise to many fans and pundits. After a record-breaking losing season for the Panthers — going 8-25 overall and 0-19 in the ACC — a change of leadership was more than expected. But between reports of contentious contract ...
Season in review: Women’s basketball lacks luster
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
March 12, 2018
When the final buzzer sounded against Wake Forest on Feb. 28, the Pitt women’s basketball team finished their season on a flat note — a 72-38 blowout loss in the ACC tournament. The lopsided loss was all too common this season. The Panthers finished 10-20 overall and 2-15 in the ACC, earning a 14th pl...
Season in review: Men’s team has campaign to forget
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
March 12, 2018
Well, it’s finally over. The Pitt men’s basketball season came to a close last Tuesday with a 67-64 loss to Notre Dame in the first round of the ACC tournament, and the 2017-18 Panthers are now history — albeit for not-so-great reasons. Pitt finished the season with an overall record of 8-25 inc...
Panthers fall to Irish in ACC tournament, finish 0-19 in ACC
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
March 6, 2018
For the second time in two weeks, the Pitt men’s basketball team made history in a loss to Notre Dame. The Panthers became the seventh team in history to go winless in the ACC after a losing to the Irish last week. They followed that up with a 67-64 loss to the Irish in the ACC tournament to become...
Women’s club hockey skates to success
By Jordan Mondell | Assistant Sports Editor
March 2, 2018
It’s 5 a.m., and while most Pitt students are still hitting snooze and sleeping off late-night study binges or a night out, one group on campus is already wide awake and on their way out of the city to start their day. The sun rises over the passing scenery and empty roads as sticks and pads clatter i...
Imperfect Panthers: Pitt goes 0-18 in ACC
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
March 1, 2018
The Pitt men’s basketball team dropped its final game of the regular season Wednesday night at Notre Dame (18-12 overall, 8-9 ACC), 73-56, giving the Panthers a winless 0-18 record in the ACC and an 8-23 record overall. The loss gave the Panthers their first ever winless season in conference play, whil...
Demon Deacons send Panthers packing in ACC tournament
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
March 1, 2018
Riding a seven-game losing streak and with one last chance to turn the season around in the ACC tournament, the Pitt women’s basketball team was blown out in Wednesday’s first round by Wake Forest, 72-38. At the Greensboro Coliseum Complex, in Greensboro, North Carolina, the Demon Deacons (15...
Pitt falls to NC State, loses fifth straight
By Adin Link | Staff Writer
February 23, 2018
The Pitt women’s basketball team extended its losing streak Thursday night as they were chased down by the No. 21 NC State Wolfpack, 77-66. The Panthers (10-18 overall, 2-13 ACC) failed to capitalize on a strong early start as the Wolfpack (22-6 overall, 11-4 ACC) stymied the Panthers’ offense ...
Demon Deacons dunk on Panthers, 63-57
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
February 22, 2018
In a game where neither team led by more than seven points, the Pitt men’s basketball team battled fellow ACC bottom-dweller Wake Forest Wednesday but couldn’t convert enough opportunities down the stretch and suffered its 16th straight loss, 63-57. A home game against the Wake Forest Demon De...
Taysir Mack transfers to become a Panther
By Alex Lehmbeck | Staff Writer
February 20, 2018
Pitt has a storied history of great college wide receivers, including Larry Fitzgerald, Antonio Bryant and Tyler Boyd. Taysir Mack, a new Pitt transfer from Indiana University, hopes to follow in their footsteps. “Every time I walk in the door, I look at the Biletnikoff Award, and I’m just li...
Syracuse stifles Pitt, 62-53
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
February 20, 2018
The Pitt women’s basketball team was blown out at the Carrier Dome, 70-52, in its first matchup of the season against rival Syracuse Jan. 21. During Monday night’s home stand, the Panthers played much better but still lost to the Orange, 62-53. The Panthers (10-17 overall, 2-12 ACC) kept the final margin clo...
Panthers swing in to spring: Baseball and softball preview
By Michael Nitti | For the Pitt News
February 16, 2018
While the Pirates just sent their pitchers and catchers down to Bradenton, Florida, for spring training, the Pitt baseball and softball teams are already getting started in their 2018 campaigns. Both Pitt squads are coming off of difficult seasons that saw each team finish with losing records in ...
Miami mauls Pitt, 82-58
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
February 16, 2018
The Pitt women’s basketball team kept it close early in the first half of Thursday night’s game against Miami but couldn’t keep up in the second half, losing 82-58. The Panthers (10-16 overall, 2-10 ACC) showed flashes of effective offense in the first quarter, as they shot 47 percent from t...
Pitt to Pros: Donald dominates NFL
By Jon Shaiken | Staff Writer
February 15, 2018
Before Aaron Donald was the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year, he spent his Saturdays terrorizing college quarterbacks at Heinz Field. In the NFL, Donald has a reputation of being a hard worker and relentless competitor playing for the Los Angeles Rams. According to Chris Lasala, Pitt’s associat...
Boston College blows out Pitt, 81-58
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
February 14, 2018
The Pitt men’s basketball team entered Tuesday night’s game with the same goal as the previous 12 — to get a conference win and avoid being winless in the ACC. Boston College — who went winless in the ACC back in 2016 — had other plans as they beat Pitt 81-58 in front of a paltry crowd at ...
Blake Zubovic lines up at Pitt
By Alex Lehmbeck | Staff Writer
February 13, 2018
Belle Vernon offensive lineman Blake Zubovic committed to Pitt last June. He was the ninth commitment of the 2018 class. This was a big commitment for Pitt, as it finds itself particularly shorthanded on the offensive line going into the 2018 season. Listed as a three-star recruit by Rivals, Zubovic was ranked as ...
Eagles sink talons into Panthers, 72-61
By Jordan Mondell | Assistant Sports Editor
February 11, 2018
The Pitt women’s basketball team slipped back into a losing rut Sunday afternoon after a loss to an evenly matched Boston College, 72-61. In a tight game in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, the Panthers (10-15 overall, 2-10 ACC) exchanged the lead with the Eagles (7-18 overall, 2-10 ACC) throughout...
With Louisville loss, Panthers drop third straight by 30-plus
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
February 11, 2018
The last time the Pitt men’s basketball team played Louisville, Pitt head coach Kevin Stallings made headlines for yelling at a Louisville fan in the midst of a blow-out loss. This time around, Stallings stayed out of trouble — but the result was the same, as Pitt fell to Louisville 94-60. Pi...
Tigers thrash Panthers, 72-48
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
February 8, 2018
In the last game of it three-game road trip, the Pitt men’s basketball team once again suffered a blowout loss to an in-conference opponent. No. 16 Clemson beat Pitt, 72-48, and brought the team’s already-historic losing streak to 12 games. After shooting 39 percent from the field and coughing up 16 turn...
Panther Spotlight: Jared Wilson-Frame, Nick Wolk, Callie Frey
By Jon Shaiken | For the Pitt News
February 7, 2018
There have been a number of standout seasons for winter sports at Pitt — for better and for worse. For the track, field and women’s tennis teams, sustained individual success has been the story of their strong seasons. As for the struggling men’s basketball team, a junior college transfer ...
Seven Panthers invited to NFL combine
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
February 6, 2018
There will be seven Pitt Panthers potentially heading to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine this March. Among the Panthers going to Indianapolis are wide receiver Quadree Henderson, safety Jordan Whitehead and offensive lineman Brian O’Neill, who each announced that they we...
Shocky Jacques-Louis lands at Pitt
By Alex Lehmbeck | Staff Writer
February 6, 2018
When Shocky Jacques-Louis committed to Pitt Dec. 20, 2017, the football team finally landed its highest-rated recruit. Jacques-Louis joined the Panthers after a tumultuous recruiting process saw him decommit from two other schools. Jacques-Louis is listed by 247sports.com as a three-star, 6-foot-1, 175-pound athlet...
Pitt falls to Florida State, 66-59
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
February 4, 2018
For the second straight Sunday, Pitt women’s basketball took a ranked team down to the wire, but ultimately couldn’t hold on for the victory. The Panthers fell to the No. 10 Florida State Seminoles, 66-59, at the Petersen Events Center. “I’m so proud of the effort our players gave the entire game...
Pitt remembers wrestling legend Rande Stottlemyer
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
February 2, 2018
When former Pitt track and field coach John Vasvary first came to Pitt, he was looking for someone to help him find his way. Help came quickly from Rande Stottlemyer. “I became head coach in 1982. I didn’t know anyone except the administrative staff,” Vasvary said. “Rande was one of the fir...
Pitt ends losing streak, beats Clemson, 58-42
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
February 2, 2018
In a battle of ACC bottom dwellers, the Pitt women’s basketball team ended its four-game losing streak, winning 58-42 against Clemson. The win was the first for the Panthers (10-13 overall, 2-8 ACC) since Jan. 14, when they beat the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 68-62. The win — the team’s first ...
Panthers swept away by Hurricanes, 69-57
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
February 1, 2018
The Pitt men’s basketball team continued its trend of poor play late in games Wednesday night at Miami. As in their previous two contests, the Panthers held a lead in the latter part of the second half, but they failed to maintain that lead and fell to the Hurricanes, 69-57. With Miami’s (16-5 ...
Pitt hires Archie Collins as 10th assistant coach
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
January 31, 2018
The Pitt football team announced on its website on Wednesday that former Central Michigan secondary coach Archie Collins will be joining next year’s coaching staff. The NCAA allows football programs to hire up to 10 assistant coaches starting this January. The team has not yet specified what Col...
Jake Kradel stays home to join Pitt
By Alex Lehmbeck | Staff Writer
January 30, 2018
Jake Kradel stirred up the Pitt Panther fan base when he announced his commitment to the University of Pittsburgh. Kradel’s tweet, announcing he was “STAYING HOME,” racked up over 1500 likes. The 290-pound offensive guard is ranked as a three-star recruit by 247sports.com. He went to Butler ...
Randy Bates feels welcome at Pitt
By Colin Martin | Staff Writer
January 30, 2018
When Josh Conklin left the Pitt football program to become the head coach at Wofford, Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi had to find someone to replace the long-standing assistant — and quickly. Narduzzi called on an old friend to fill the position. Randy Bates was officially introduced as Pitt’s new defensive ...
Panthers drop ninth straight, lose to Syracuse, 60-55
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
January 27, 2018
The Pitt men’s basketball team seemed closer than ever to winning its first ACC game of the season after Wednesday’s close loss to NC State. The Panthers came into Saturday’s home game looking to amend the late-game mistakes that cost them their previous match. Instead, Pitt (8-14 overall, 0-9 ACC) once a...
Pitt celebrates survivors with Pink the Pete
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
January 26, 2018
Pitt women’s basketball will play in a tough matchup against No. 18 Duke this Sunday, but unlike a normal game, the focus will be on something much bigger than the sport. The game coincides with Pink the Petersen, an event that focuses on breast cancer awareness by recognizing and honoring survivo...
Pitt unlucky against Irish, 87-53
By Adin Link | Staff Writer
January 26, 2018
The Pitt women’s basketball team continued its recent streak of blowout losses Thursday night as the Panthers fell to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 87-53. The Panthers (9-12 overall, 1-7 ACC) came into the game after two losses of more than 15 points against Syracuse and No. 4 Louisville. The No. ...
Pitt loses late to NC State, 72-68
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
January 25, 2018
Despite playing its best in-conference game of the season, the Pitt men’s basketball team came up short of a crucial victory and let a 15-point lead slip away — dropping its eighth straight ACC game, 72-68, to the NC State Wolfpack. Playing in front of a home crowd in the ACC’s late-night 9 p.m...
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...
Los Angeles FC select Pitt defender in MLS draft
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
January 22, 2018
With the 24th pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft, Los Angeles FC selected Pitt senior defender Pol Calvet Planellas on Friday, Jan. 19. Los Angeles selected Planellas with the first pick of the second round. With this being LA’s first year in the MLS, Planellas became their third pick in club histo...
Lyke announces creation of Pitt Hall of Fame
By Jordan Mondell | Assistant Sports Editor
January 22, 2018
Heather Lyke announced the creation of a Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame on Monday morning, according to a release from Pitt athletics. The Hall of Fame — the first of its kind at the University — will honor collegiate athletes and coaches who have built a legacy while at Pitt. “[Pitt athletics has] a his...
Syracuse crushes Pitt, 72-50
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
January 21, 2018
In front of a raucous crowd of 13,000 people at the Carrier Dome, the Pitt’s women’s basketball team lost to Syracuse and missed another chance to get an ACC win on the road. The Panthers (9-11 overall, 1-6 ACC) fell to the Orange (15-5 overall, 3-4 ACC) 70-52, despite keeping the game close e...
Diop shines as Panthers fall to Louisville, 77-51
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
January 19, 2018
The Pitt women’s basketball team couldn’t capitalize on another strong performance from redshirt junior forward Yacine Diop, falling to the undefeated No. 2 Louisville Cardinals, 77-51 — despite Diop’s 26 points. The Panthers (9-10 overall, 1-5 ACC) had the game as close as seven at a point in t...
Pitt swim finds mixed results in Morgantown
By Brandon Glass | Staff Writer
January 19, 2018
Cold weather can’t stop a backyard brawl, only temporarily delay it. Originally scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 6, Pitt swimming’s meet against West Virginia was delayed due to frigid temperatures in the WVU Natatorium. In the rescheduled meet Thursday, the women’s team dominated while the men ...
Dante Watson: Circling tracks and rounding the floor
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
January 19, 2018
Between lacing up his cleats for a race and spending late nights studying in Hillman, sophomore track athlete Dante Watson has a few other responsibilities: mediating disputes, doing rounds on dorm floors and being a good listener. In addition to being an athlete and a full-time student studying communic...
Panthers Spotlight: Haley Brechwald, Andin Fosam
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
January 18, 2018
The Pitt women’s gymnastics and track and field teams were both in action over the first weekend of the new semester. One of the program’s most established stars lifted the Panthers on the track, while a fresh face provided a boost for the Panthers in the gym. Haley Brechwald Despite losing a close compe...
ACC releases 2018 Pitt football schedule
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
January 17, 2018
The Atlantic Coast Conference released the 2018 football schedules of each of its members Wednesday afternoon. Included in the release was the Pitt Panthers 2018 schedule, which features eight games against teams that made bowl games in 2017. Of those eight teams, the Panthers will face five teams that fin...
Pitt tops Georgia Tech, gets first ACC win of the season
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
January 14, 2018
Pitt sophomore guard Alayna Gribble scored her last point of the day at the free throw line to give the Pitt women’s basketball team a 68-62 lead with one second left in Sunday’s game against Georgia Tech. Gribble scored a career-high 29 points in Pitt’s 68-62 victory as the Panthers claimed their f...
Pitt football signs Randy Bates to be defensive coordinator
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
January 13, 2018
When the Pitt Panthers football team lost to Northwestern last December, 31-24 in the Pinstripe Bowl, Northwestern linebackers coach Randy Bates was celebrating on the Northwestern sideline. Next fall, Bates will be on the Panthers sideline with head coach Pat Narduzzi’s staff. Pitt announced Saturd...
Yellow Jackets sting Panthers, 69-54
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
January 13, 2018
Coming off of an embarrassing defeat to the No. 7 Duke Blue Devils, the Pitt men’s basketball team was poised for its first ACC win of the season against less daunting competition. But, a stout Georgia Tech defense was enough to stymie Pitt's offense and earn a 69-54 victory, leaving Pitt still win...
Pitt falls to Virginia Tech, remain winless in ACC
By Mackenzie Rodrigues | News Editor
January 12, 2018
The Pitt women’s basketball team walked off the court with a losing record after falling to Virginia Tech, 89-66, in Thursday night’s road game at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, Virginia. The Panthers (8-9 overall, 0-4 ACC) started the game with the first basket, but it didn’t take long for ...
Luther ruled out for the season
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
January 12, 2018
The Pitt men’s basketball team has played its last seven games without its only senior, forward Ryan Luther, and on Thursday Pitt announced on its website that Pitt will finish the season without him. Luther went down during Pitt’s Dec. 9 game against West Virginia with a stress reaction in his right foot. On T...
Balancing act: Panthers gymnastics combine youth and experience
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
January 11, 2018
The Pitt women’s gymnastics team is set to begin the 2018 season under new leadership for the first time in 31 years with newly hired head coach Samantha Snider at the helm. Athletic director Heather Lyke hired coach Snider this past June. Snider will look to improve upon the Panthers’ 2017 seaso...
Blue Devils dismantle Pitt, 87-52
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
January 10, 2018
A sizable crowd of Pitt fans were left in the stands watching Wednesday’s game, wondering if they would see their team score even half as much as the No. 7 Duke Blue Devils. The Panthers did, but not by much, as Duke crushed Pitt, 87-52. The Pitt men’s basketball team (8-9 overall, 0-4 ACC) continue...
Stallings needs to keep comments off court
By Colin Martin | For The Pitt News
January 9, 2018
Yelling at opposing players, coaches and fans from the stands is common practice during college sporting events. But not as common is for players and coaches to yell back — unless you’re Pitt head coach Kevin Stallings, who did just that to a fan in the stands toward the end of last week’s game ...
Women’s basketball poised for potential upset
By Alex Lehmbeck | For The Pitt News
January 8, 2018
The Pitt women’s basketball team came within one point of North Carolina before a heartbreaking 68-67 defeat on Sunday. Pitt’s most recent loss was its second in a row and fourth of the winter break. The Panthers are now 8-8, going 2-4 during the break. They earned wins against Bucknell and Chic...
Team of young men’s basketball players work on rebuilding
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
January 8, 2018
At the beginning of the season, The Pitt News — along with most other sports media outlets — placed the Pitt men’s basketball team at the bottom of its preseason ACC basketball rankings. The Panthers’ prospects didn’t seem too promising, considering they were bringing back just two players ...
Winter recess all but a break for Panthers sports
By Grant Burgman and Jordan Mondell | TPN Staff
January 8, 2018
While most Pitt students were at home relaxing and celebrating the holidays, Pitt swimming and diving, wrestling and men’s and women’s basketball teams were still hard at work. Throughout the break, the Panthers continued to compete on the mat, in the pool and on the court, with mixed result...
UNC beats Pitt in final seconds, 68-67
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
January 7, 2018
Sophomore guard Jasmine Whitney was just two foul shots away from giving Pitt the victory against UNC Sunday afternoon, but failed to hit either as Pitt lost, 68-67, and stayed winless in the ACC at 0-3. The Panthers (8-8) led the Tar Heels (11-5) 16-14 in the first quarter, after a 6-0 run at th...
Wake Forest tops Pitt, 58-49
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
January 4, 2018
Yacine Diop hit a three-pointer to bring Pitt within one point of Wake Forest with 2:53 remaining in the fourth quarter. The three gave Diop 26 points on the night, a team high; but they would be the last points both she and Pitt scored as it fell to Wake Forest 58-49 on Thursday night. After a t...
Louisville dominates Pitt, 77-51
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
January 3, 2018
The last time the Pitt men’s basketball team faced off against Louisville was last January in a 106-51 defeat. While the deficit never got up to 50, Pitt’s most recent game with Louisville was similarly uncompetitive as Louisville beat Pitt 77-51 on Tuesday night. After starting conference play with a 67-53 ...
Hurricanes blow out Panthers, 67-53
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
December 30, 2017
Pitt men’s basketball (8-6) closed 2017 and opened conference play with a 67-53 loss to the No. 15 Miami Hurricanes (12-1) on Saturday afternoon at the Petersen Event Center. After an up and down month of non-conference play, Pitt entered Saturday’s game on a three game winning streak against ...
Panthers pounce during early signing period
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
December 26, 2017
The ink has dried on 16 letters of intent for Panther football so far, as new faces signed up to be sporting blue and gold at Heinz Field in 2018. The first early signing period in NCAA college football history — from Dec. 20 through Dec. 22 — concluded Friday with 16 of 17 commits officially ...
Pitt tops Towson, 63-59
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
December 23, 2017
After trailing for most of the game, Pitt took a late lead on a teardrop floater from redshirt senior guard Jonathan Milligan with 51.7 seconds left in the game. Milligan’s shot would be the deciding score as Pitt defeated Townson 63-59 in comeback fashion. Pitt (8-5) had to fight back after finding t...
Pitt lands two recruits before signing day
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
December 19, 2017
With no bowl games to look forward to over the holiday season, the Pitt Panthers football team got to work improving next year’s team early this year. Two recruits announced their intent to sign with Pitt via Twitter on Monday. Marquis Williams, a senior cornerback at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort ...
O’Neill declares for NFL draft
By Grant Burgman | Staff Writer
December 15, 2017
Pitt will now lose its third player from this year’s roster to the NFL. Redshirt junior offensive tackle Brian O’Neill joins juniors Quadree Henderson and Jordan Whitehead in declaring for the draft this April. O’Neill announced his decision in a statement released to the media on Friday morning. ...
No timeouts: Balling over break
By Grant Burgman and Dominic Campbell | Staff Writers
December 11, 2017
Being a Division I athlete comes with undeniable perks — official gear, tuition aid and the chance to be on television. But athletes miss out on a lot — including enjoying a full winter break of relaxation and family. “That’s one of the sacrifices you have to make if you want to play Division...
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...
Mountaineers take down Panthers in Backyard Brawl
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
December 9, 2017
Down 18 at the half, Pitt men’s basketball nearly mounted a second-half comeback, but West Virginia’s aggressive defense held the young Panther team in the final minutes. Though Pitt came within two points with six minutes remaining, the Mountaineers pulled away to avoid the upset, winning 69...