Pitt punctuates UNC sweep with wire-to-wire win, 66-52
By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor
January 18, 2020
A dominant first half kept Pitt afloat through one of its all-too-familiar scoring droughts on Saturday. The Panthers did just enough in the second half to best UNC, 66-52.
Dissecting Pitt’s defensive prowess
By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor
January 16, 2020
And as a product of their history in the “Old Big East” — a conference known for its gritty personality and indifference to offense — the Panthers are making a name for themselves on the defensive end of the court in 2020.
Final foul lifts Louisville over Pitt, 73-68
By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor
January 15, 2020
A questionable foul call on Terrell Brown sank Pitt against Louisville on Tuesday, but it was the Panthers’ inability to perform down the stretch that put holes in the ship.
Sluggish start dooms Pitt basketball at Miami
By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor
January 12, 2020
Like most college students on a Sunday afternoon, Pitt experienced a potent hangover in Coral Gables. Fresh off a shocking comeback win over North Carolina on Tuesday, the Panthers fell flat against Miami.
McGowens, Champagnie lead Pitt over UNC, 73-65
By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor
January 9, 2020
Pitt men’s basketball entered Chapel Hill Wednesday night 0-7 all-time at the venue but took advantage of a depleted Tar Heels’ squad in a 73-65 win.
Previewing Pitt basketball’s full conference slate
By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor
January 6, 2020
Pitt men’s basketball is experiencing some deja vu. Almost one year ago, Pitt ended a 690-day winless streak in conference play with a win over the Louisville Cardinals and five days later pulled off another thrilling upset over No. 11 Florida State.
Panthers flake versus Wake, lose 69-65
By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor
January 4, 2020
When Pitt downed Florida State in the season opener last November the possibilities seemed endless. Pitt had a winning conference record for the first time since 2016 and head coach Jeff Capel’s rebuild appeared to be right on track. 13 games later, Capel and his Panthers have been knocked down a peg. Pitt (10-4, 1-2 ACC) squandered a 16-point first half lead and lost, 69-65 to Wake Forest (8-5, 1-2 ACC) on Saturday afternoon.
Late run pushes Pitt past NIU, 59-50
By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor
December 16, 2019
Metal plus time equals rust. And when you leave a basketball team to rest in the Steel City for 10 days, they’re bound to develop some rust as well. Finals week kept Pitt men’s basketball idle for ten days before hosting Northern Illinois on Monday night.
Former Pitt strength coach suing over alleged age, race discrimination
By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor
December 8, 2019
Former Pitt strength and conditioning coach Tim Beltz filed a civil lawsuit Friday against the University of Pittsburgh for alleged age and race discrimination, according to court documents filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania and originally obtained by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Panthers basketball faces uphill battle at No. 1 Louisville
By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor
December 5, 2019
Pitt men’s basketball is riding a five-game win streak, but the team will face an uphill challenge on its way to six-straight when it travels to Louisville for a date with the No. 1 Cardinals.