When Pitt men’s basketball heads to Chapel Hill for a Wednesday date with UNC, senior staff writer Frankie Richetti argues it will have a chance to inspire belief that this season’s incremental progress is a step toward something bigger.

It's clear that Jeff Capel has instilled a strong culture among his Pitt team. It isn’t the kind of achievement Pitt fans dreamed of when he was hired, but senior staff writer Frankie Richetti argues that Capel deserves credit nonetheless.

The Panthers’ best season in 40 years has opened a window of success to build on. Given the era of the transfer portal, Pitt knew it had the chance to continue to build on this season through adding to the roster externally.

The Spartan running game will test Pitt’s defense in the Peach Bowl, but the Panthers, led by Heisman Trophy finalist Kenny Pickett, appear poised to exploit Michigan State’s weak secondary.

In Saturday’s ACC Championship win over Wake Forest, Pitt earned its first outright conference title in program history. This victory sets the Panthers up for success well into the future, staff writer Frankie Richetti argues.

In a back-and-forth affair, behind record days from redshirt senior quarterback Kenny Pickett and sophomore wide receiver Jordan Addison, the high-powered Panthers offense led the way in capturing Pitt’s second ACC Coastal title, earning a trip to the ACC Championship Game with a 48-38 win over Virginia. 

The Miami Hurricanes took down the Panthers 38-34 at Heinz Field on Saturday, behind first-year quarterback Tyler Van Dyke’s big day, throwing for 428 yards and three touchdowns.

“Kenny Heisman” was formerly just a playful nickname for Pitt super-senior quarterback Kenny Pickett. But after his extraordinary start to the season, he’s giving that name life and could be in contention for some of the nation’s most prestigious awards.

In this week’s edition of the Take 5, The Pitt News sports desk gives their opinions on everything from the Duquesne Dukes’ chances of making some noise in the FCS playoffs to the MLB needing to restructure their playoff format.

The Panthers (2-1, 0-0 ACC) welcomed the New Hampshire Wildcats to Heinz Field (3-0, 2-0 CAA) for the teams’ second ever meeting — in the first meeting in 2010 the Panthers won 38-16. The Panthers extended their win streak against the Wildcats on Saturday, winning 77-7 and enjoyed a couple of record breaking performances on offense.