Saoirse Downs
The Pittsburgh Panthers, often referred to as Pitt, are the NCAA Division I intercollegiate men's basketball team of the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pitt has a rich basketball history, with their teams of 1927–28 and 1929–30 recognised as national champions. In recent years, however, the team has struggled to replicate this success. In February 2025, Pitt men's basketball was facing its eighth failure in nine years to secure an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. Pitt's 2024 season concluded with a record of 22-11 and a fourth-place finish in the ACC, just missing out on a tournament spot. Pitt's sole tournament appearance in nine years came in the 2022-23 season, where they reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time in six years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team Name | Pittsburgh Panthers |
| Team Conference | Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) |
| Home Games Venue | Petersen Events Center |
| Number of NCAA Tournament Appearances | 27 |
| Number of Wins | 1,674 |
| Number of Losses | 1,232 |
| First Coach | Benjamin Printz |
| Current Coach | Jeff Capel |
| Former Player | Charley Hyatt |
| Former Player | Blake Hinson |
| New Player | Brandin Cummings |
| New Player | Amdy Ndiaye |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball team
The Pitt men's basketball team has competed in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and plays its home games at the Petersen Events Center. The team's history can be traced back to the 1905–06 season, when the University first fielded a men's basketball team under coach Benjamin Printz. However, there were a couple of seasons, 1909–10 and 1910–11, when the University did not field a team.
The Panthers have achieved success both in the past and in more recent years. In the 2022–23 season, Pitt finished with a regular-season record of 21-10 and qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the first time in six years. They defeated Mississippi State and Iowa State in the First Four and the first round, respectively, before eventually falling to Xavier in the next round.
One of the most notable eras for the Pitt men's basketball team was under coach Henry Clifford "Doc" Carlson, MD, who took over in 1922. Carlson transformed Pitt into a national powerhouse, and the teams from 1927–28 and 1929–30 were recognised as national champions, both at the time and later retroactively. The 1929–30 season was particularly remarkable, as it included a last-second game-winning shot by Charley Hyatt to defeat the defending national champions, Montana State, with a score of 27 points. Hyatt, a three-time All-American and two-time National Scoring Champion, cemented his place in basketball history with this victory. Carlson's innovative approach to scheduling also contributed to the team's success, as he initiated playing a "national schedule" that included games against several Big Ten schools.
In addition to their recent NCAA Tournament appearance, Pitt has accumulated numerous other accomplishments over the years. They have reached one Final Four, earned 15 First Team All-American selections, and appeared in 27 NCAA tournaments through the 2022–23 season. They have also recorded an impressive number of victories, with 1,674 wins against 1,232 losses since their inaugural season.
How to Win Money from the NCAA Basketball Bracket
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Pitt's performance in the 2024-25 season
The 2024-25 season of Pitt men's basketball, also known as the Pittsburgh Panthers, saw the team undergo several roster changes. The Panthers welcomed new additions, including first-year players Brandin "Beebah" Cummings and Amdy Ndiaye, as well as transfer students Cameron Corhen (former Florida State forward) and Damian Dunn (former Houston guard). The Diaz Graham twins, who are seven-foot-tall brothers from the Canary Islands, also returned for their junior season. Unfortunately, the team had to bid farewell to key players like Blake Hinson and Carlton "Bub" Carrington, who were integral parts of the Panthers' offense.
The season started off on a positive note, with Pitt holding a 7-1 record as of December 2, 2024. Their only loss up to that point was against Wisconsin, which took place in a hotel ballroom due to a shot clock malfunction. Pitt was projected to secure a high seed in the NCAA Tournament, with On3 predicting a No. 5 seed for the team in March Madness. However, things took a turn for the worse, and since December 2, Pitt's performance declined, with a 9-10 overall record and a 1-9 record against Quad One and Quad Two opponents. Their sole win during this period was a Quad Two home victory over North Carolina.
Pitt men's basketball faced challenges in their rebound game, consistently being outrebounded by their opponents. This trend was evident in their matchups with the Bulldogs, Duke, Louisville, and Florida State. Despite showing improvement against Clemson, losing by only two rebounds, the Panthers still fell short in overtime. However, the Clemson game demonstrated that Pitt could compete with some of the best teams in the ACC when they brought sufficient hustle and physicality to the court.
The Pittsburgh Panthers suffered a defeat at the hands of the Virginia Cavaliers on February 3, 2025, with a final score of 73-57. The Cavaliers' strong performance, including a 56% shooting percentage and a dominant glass presence, propelled them to victory. Dai Dai Ames of the Cavaliers stood out with a career-high 27 points, while Blake Buchanan contributed a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Despite Pitt's efforts, they couldn't close the gap and fell to the Cavaliers.
Butt Functionality in Basketball: Strategies and Benefits
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The team's performance in the NCAA Tournament
The Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball team, often referred to as "Pitt", has a rich history in the NCAA Tournament. The team has appeared in 27 NCAA tournaments through the 2022–23 season, reaching one Final Four and receiving 15 First Team All-American selections. Pitt has also been retroactively recognized as the pre-NCAA tournament national champion three times.
In the 2022–23 season, the Panthers returned to the NCAA Tournament after a six-year drought. As the 11th seed, they defeated Mississippi State 60–59 in the First Four and upset the 6th-seed Iowa State 59–41 in the first round. However, their run came to an end in the next round, as they suffered a loss to the 3rd-seed Xavier by a score of 84–73.
Pitt's performance in the NCAA Tournament has had its highs and lows. The team reached the Big East Championship Game seven times in eight seasons from 2001 to 2008, a feat unmatched by any other team in the conference's history. Charley Hyatt, a three-time All-American and two-time National Scoring Champion, led Pitt to back-to-back national championships in the 1927–28 and 1929–30 seasons. These teams, coached by Henry Clifford "Doc" Carlson, played a "`national schedule`" that included wins over several top schools.
However, in recent years, Pitt has struggled to make it to the NCAA Tournament consistently. They missed out on a bid in the 2023–24 season, finishing with a record of 22-11 and a fourth-place finish in the ACC. Despite an impressive start to their 2024–25 season, Pitt ultimately failed to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament, falling short of expectations once again.
Perfect Basketball Shooting: Finding Your Sweet Spot
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The team's roster changes
The Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball team, often referred to as "Pitt", has a rich history in intercollegiate basketball, dating back to their inaugural season in 1905-06. Over the years, the team's roster has undoubtedly undergone numerous changes, with players coming and going, leaving their mark on the court.
Ahead of the 2024-25 season, Pitt announced roster changes that included the departure of senior forward Blake Hinson, who was a key offensive asset for the Panthers. Hinson set records for the team, including the most threes in a season and an impressive scoring effort against Louisville. The Panthers also welcomed new additions, such as first-year players Brandin "Beebah" Cummings and Amdy Ndiaye, who joined the team with impressive basketball backgrounds. Cummings, a Pittsburgh native, excelled in high school basketball, while Ndiaye was a three-star prospect and an NYSSWA All-State selection in 2022.
The Diaz Graham twins, a dynamic duo standing at seven feet tall, returned for their junior season, bringing leadership and experience to the team. Additionally, the transfer portal brought former Florida State forward Cameron Corhen and former Houston guard Damian Dunn to Pitt, adding new talent and chemistry to the court. Corhen's presence as a starting center and Dunn's fifth year of college basketball experience bolstered the team's depth.
However, Pitt also experienced some losses, as Carlton "Bub" Carrington, an integral part of the team's offense the previous season, would not be returning. The team's path to success in the upcoming season would depend on the combination of returning leaders, new talent, and the ability to fill the gaps left by departing players.
Pitt men's basketball has a long history of competition, with appearances in 27 NCAA tournaments through the 2022-23 season and a total of 1,674 victories recorded. The team has reached impressive milestones, such as their seven appearances in the Big East Championship Game in eight seasons. However, they have also faced setbacks, including missing out on tournament bids and struggling against physically dominant opponents.
UNC Basketball Game: Find It on Spectrum Tonight!
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Pitt's performance against the Virginia Cavaliers
The Pittsburgh Panthers, often referred to as "Pitt", is the NCAA Division I intercollegiate men's basketball team of the University of Pittsburgh, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Panthers compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and play their home games at the Petersen Events Center.
On February 3, 2025, the Virginia Cavaliers dominated the Pittsburgh Panthers, winning 73-57 at the Petersen Events Center. The Cavaliers shot 56% (28-of-50) in the contest and out-rebounded the Panthers 33-21. Dai Dai Ames led all scorers with a career-high 27 points, including a season-high three 3-pointers. Blake Buchanan contributed a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, while Andrew Rohde added nine points and a career-high nine assists.
The Cavaliers jumped out to an early lead, going on a 17-0 scoring run to take a commanding 34-19 lead at halftime. Pitt struggled offensively in the first half, shooting only 30.0% (6 of 20) from the field. However, the Panthers showed some fight in the second half, improving their field goal percentage to 52.2% (12 of 23). Despite their improved shooting, the Panthers were unable to significantly cut into the Cavaliers' lead, as Virginia maintained a comfortable advantage throughout the second half.
The Cavaliers remained hot in the second half, shooting 55.6% (15-for-27) from the field and knocking down six 3-pointers. Pitt's improved shooting in the second half was not enough to overcome their large deficit, and they were unable to get closer than 14 points as Virginia cruised to the 73-57 victory.
The win against Pitt was a significant boost for the Cavaliers, who improved their record to 11-12 overall and 4-8 in the ACC. Meanwhile, the loss dropped the Panthers to 14-8 overall and 5-6 in the ACC.
The two teams have a long history, with Virginia leading the all-time series 19-6, including an 8-4 record in Pittsburgh and a 5-2 record at the Petersen Events Center. However, Pitt had won the previous two meetings between the teams, including a 74-63 victory in Charlottesville and a 68-65 win at the Petersen Events Center in January 2023.
Understanding the Fundamentals of High School Basketball
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Pitt men's basketball team, also known as the Pittsburgh Panthers, is the NCAA Division I intercollegiate men's basketball program of the University of Pittsburgh, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team has a rich history dating back to its inaugural season in 1905-06 under coach Benjamin Printz. The University did not field a team during the 1909-10 and 1910-11 seasons. The Panthers have achieved notable successes, including being recognized as national champions twice in the late 1920s and appearing in 27 NCAA tournaments through the 2022-23 season.
The Pitt men's basketball team has had several notable achievements. They were recognized as national champions in 1927-28 and 1929-30, both by popular opinion and the Helms Athletic Foundation. The team has also reached the Big East Championship Game seven times in eight seasons, from 2001 to 2008. Additionally, they have appeared in the Eastern 8 Tournament Championship games in 1979, 1981, and 1982.
Some notable figures associated with the Pitt men's basketball team include Charley Hyatt, a three-time All-American and two-time National Scoring Champion who led the team to national championships. Henry Clifford "Doc" Carlson, MD, took over as coach in 1922 and transformed Pitt into a national powerhouse. Other notable players include Blake Hinson, the Diaz Graham twins, Cameron Corhen, and Damian Dunn.
The 2024-25 Pitt men's basketball season did not result in a tournament bid, despite a strong record of 22-11 (12-8 ACC) and a fourth-place finish in the ACC. The team experienced several key roster changes for the upcoming season, including the departure of forward Blake Hinson and the addition of first-year players Brandin "Beebah" Cummings and Amdy Ndiaye.
The Pitt men's basketball team has had varying levels of success in the NCAA Tournament. In the 2022-23 season, they made the tournament for the first time in six years, defeating Mississippi State and Iowa State before losing to Xavier. However, in the 2024-25 season, they missed out on an at-large bid to the tournament for the eighth time in nine years, falling short of expectations.
