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...
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...
Take Five: London, Luther, lazy reporting
By Brandon Glass | Staff Writer
January 12, 2018
In the age of media saturation, a lot happens in the sports world in a short amount of time. At the Pitt News, we’re embarking on a journey to pick the five most enticing sports headlines each week. This week, staff writer Brandon Glass shares a few of the highlights and lowlights, from Pittsburgh to...
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...
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...
City Game reclaimed: Panthers defeat Dukes, 76-64
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
December 1, 2017
In an encouraging sign for the young Pitt men’s basketball team, the Panthers accomplished something that last year’s team was unable to do — record a victory over Duquesne, in the annual City Game Friday night at PPG Paints Arena. After turning the ball over a season-high 22 times in their prev...
Nittany Lions level Panthers, 85-54, in Progressive Legends Classic semi-final
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
November 21, 2017
In a semi-final matchup of the Progressive Legends Classic versus Penn State, the Pitt men’s basketball team was annihilated by its in-state foe, falling 85-54 in a game that was essentially over by halftime. The Panthers (1-3 overall, 0-0 ACC) had nothing going for them in a blowout loss to the ...
Panthers chase down Gauchos, 70-62, claim first season victory
By Grant Burgman | Staff Writer
November 16, 2017
The Pitt men’s basketball team came back from an early and consistent deficit to claim its first victory of the season with a 70-62 victory over the University of California, Santa Barbara Gauchos. Pitt (1-2) played its second game in the 11th annual Progressive Legends Classic Wednesday night ag...
Pitt loses to Montana with record-low attendance, 83-78
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
November 13, 2017
Entering Monday night’s game, the Pitt men’s basketball team had not lost a home opener since 1996. Kevin Stallings was also the coach during that loss — but for the Panthers’ opponent, Illinois State. This time, Stallings experienced the defeat from the other side. The Panthers (0-2) committ...
Luther leads young squad in senior season
By David Leftwich | Senior Staff Writer
November 1, 2017
As Ryan Luther watched all but two members of the Pitt basketball team depart this off-season, his dedication to the Panthers never wavered. “I knew I wanted to be here,” the senior forward said. “I knew I made a commitment coming out of high school, and I didn’t really want to be somewhere els...
Luther must manage unproven Panthers
By Wyatt Geller | For The Pitt News
July 11, 2017
With the season just a few months away, the Pitt basketball team is in desperate need of a leader. But for second-year head coach Kevin Stallings, the options are scarce. The loss of seniors Michael Young, Jamel Artis, Sheldon Jeter and Chris Jones leaves the team with big shoes to fill. Ryan Lut...
Leading returning scorer Cameron Johnson leaving Pitt
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
April 1, 2017
After having three players transfer in the past three weeks, the Pitt men’s basketball team is now losing its leading returning scorer. Redshirt sophomore guard Cameron Johnson is pursuing his transfer from the university. Johnson’s father Gil confirmed the news to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette early Sat...
Next year will be turning point for Panthers’ program after lost season
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 14, 2017
Now that we know the season is over for Pitt’s men’s basketball team — with no postseason appearance and no winning record for the first time in 17 years — one question remains. Where do the Panthers go from here? Some have called for the axing of head coach Kevin Stallings after just one year on...
Cameron Johnson and Ryan Luther named to All-ACC Academic Team
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 2, 2017
The Pitt men’s basketball team’s disappointing 2016-2017 season is almost at a close, but two Panthers earned recognition Wednesday for what they’ve accomplished off the court. Pitt redshirt sophomore guard Cameron Johnson and junior forward Ryan Luther made it onto the All-ACC Academic Team ...
How to sneak past the Deacs: Can Pitt beat Wake?
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
February 22, 2017
Just when it seemed like the Pitt men’s basketball team’s NCAA Tournament chances were disappearing, the Panthers beat their second top-25 team of the season and kept some hope alive. Pitt’s 80-66 win over the No. 17 Florida State Seminoles Saturday was arguably the team’s most impressive all...
Basement Basketball: Can Panthers outperform Eagles?
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
February 8, 2017
The Pitt men’s basketball team has faced a grueling schedule this season, ranked eighth-toughest in the country by CBS Sports. So, after eight straight losses to quality conference opponents, Wednesday night’s game should provide a much-needed respite. If the last-place Panthers (12-11 overal...
Miami thrashes Pitt for 72-46 victory
By Ryan Zimba | Staff Writer
January 14, 2017
After a pair of disappointing losses on the road, the Pitt men’s basketball team returned to the Petersen Events Center looking to bounce back against the Miami Hurricanes Saturday afternoon. Instead, the Hurricanes (12-4 overall, 2-2 ACC) humiliated the Panthers (12-6 overall, 1-4 ACC) on their home ...
Panthers knock off No. 11 Virginia in OT, 88-76, for first ACC win
By Ryan Zimba | Staff Writer
January 5, 2017
It wasn’t a full house at the Petersen Events Center Wednesday night, but it sure sounded like it when the Pitt men’s basketball team started pulling away in overtime against No. 11 Virginia. The game was almost a repeat performance from the Panthers’ ACC opener on New Year’s Eve, when No. 24 Notre...
Pitt men’s basketball routs Omaha in second half for 94-75 win
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
December 21, 2016
Michael Young again led the Pitt men's basketball team with 24 points Wednesday night, but the senior forward offered a simple two-word response for how the Panthers took control of the game against the Omaha Mavericks: Ryan Luther. After scoring a career-high 20 points on perfect 8-of-8 shooting Satu...
Artis scores 31 to guide Panthers to 83-73 win over Rice
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
December 17, 2016
The Pitt men’s basketball team had a new name atop the scoring sheet Saturday night, but the result was familiar: a hard-fought, back-and-forth victory over a supposedly inferior opponent. The Panthers (9-2) defeated the Rice Owls (8-3) at the Petersen Events Center, 83-73, behind a game-high 31...
Pitt men’s basketball ekes out 81-73 win over Penn State
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
December 10, 2016
The Pitt men’s basketball team picked up another win Saturday afternoon, but again the Panthers made it much harder on themselves than it needed to be. Pitt (8-2) allowed only 22 points in the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions (6-5) while jumping out to a 20-point halftime lead. The...
Pitt men’s basketball scrapes by Buffalo for 84-79 win
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
December 7, 2016
The Pitt men’s basketball team appeared to be headed for a much-needed blowout win over the underwhelming Buffalo Bulls Wednesday night. Instead, it turned into another ugly nail-biter for the Panthers. After Pitt jumped out to a 26-point lead, the Bulls (4-5) completely outplayed the Panthers ...
Panthers suffer first City Game defeat to Duquesne in 16 years, 64-55
By Dan Sostek | Senior Staff Writer
December 3, 2016
For the first time in 16 years, the Pitt men’s basketball team left the annual City Game against Duquesne with a loss instead of a trophy. The Panthers (6-2) fell to their crosstown rival Duquesne Dukes (4-5) by a final score of 64-55 Friday evening at the PPG Paints Arena, their first loss in t...
Pitt men’s basketball holds off Yale, 75-70
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
November 22, 2016
Pitt men’s basketball head coach Kevin Stallings admitted Monday that his team could use a third scoring option to go with seniors Michael Young and Jamel Artis. Sophomore guard Cameron Johnson was that third scoring threat in Pitt’s win over Yale on Tuesday, providing Young and Artis with just...
Pitt men’s basketball waxes Gardner-Webb, 99-80
By Dan Sostek | Senior Staff Writer
November 14, 2016
Despite his team’s easy 99-80 win over the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs, Pitt men’s basketball head coach Kevin Stallings was disgruntled after the game. “With all due respect to Gardner-Webb, I think we missed an opportunity to get better tonight,” Stallings said. “I was disappointed in our...
Pitt Men’s Basketball Season Preview: A New Era
By Dan Sostek | Senior Staff Writer
October 31, 2016
If Kevin Stallings were still in the Southeastern Conference, his roster — featuring an arsenal of returning talent and multiple all-conference performers — would rank among the best, a definite contender to make the title game in the conference tournament. But Stallings, the new head coach of the men...
Robinson, Johnson carry Pitt over Syracuse to advance in ACC Tournament
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
March 9, 2016
WASHINGTON, D.C --- Wednesday could have been the last game of James Robinson’s career. The senior point guard and his Panthers needed a win, sitting on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament field of 64 and Pitt's accepting an NIT invitation no guarantee. And with Pitt on the ropes, he did what...
Unsung heroes Levitch, Luther shine in Pitt-Louisville
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
February 25, 2016
In a game featuring star players like Damion Lee, Chinanu Onuaku, Jamel Artis and Michael Young, one would expect the usual suspects to dominate. But in this season’s second meeting between Pitt and Louisville Wednesday, it was a pair of unsung players that came up big for their respective teams. I...
No. 11 Louisville utilizes late run to down Panthers
By Chris Puzia / Contributing Editor
February 25, 2016
While Pitt opened both halves of Wednesday’s matchup strong, its opponent heated up when it mattered most — at the end of the game. Despite leading for more than 23 minutes and receiving a career performance from forward Ryan Luther, Pitt men’s basketball dropped a home matchup to No. 11 Louisv...
Jamie Dixon putting NC State loss in rearview mirror
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
January 21, 2016
With frigid temperatures and possible snowfall looming, the Pitt men’s basketball team will escape the tundra and memories of a loss earlier than expected. The Panthers will travel to Tallahassee Friday morning, hoping to move past a tough loss to the North Carolina State Wolfpack as they prepare t...
Second half run propels Pitt basketball past Detroit
By Jeremy Tepper / Senior Staff Writer
November 21, 2015
For a brief moment in the second half, Pitt’s chances of beating Detroit seemed in doubt, with the visitors taking a one point lead. A 25-5 run, though, would wipe away any shred of uncertainty, as the Panthers defeated the Titans 95-79 Friday night at the Petersen Events Center. Detroit coach...
Dixon, Pitt basketball need to up recruiting game to compete in ACC
By Jeremy Tepper / Senior Staff Writer
September 30, 2015
There was a time when Pitt basketball could compile northeastern-focused recruiting classes. Unfortunately for Jamie Dixon and the Panthers, that time has passed. For the majority of Dixon’s tenure as Pitt’s head basketball coach, becoming a regular season force and faltering in the postseason w...