On Thursday, Pitt released its non-conference schedule for the upcoming hoops season, one which many believe will be a crucial season for head coach Jeff Capel and his staff.
Pitt finished last season 11-21, ranking No. 195 in the nation according to Kenpom.com.
The Panthers return veteran guards Jamarius Burton and Nike Sibande, as well as leading scorer John Hugley. This offseason, Pitt brought in numerous high school, junior college, and transfers, including four-star high school prospect Dior Johnson, Nelly Cummings (Colgate), Greg Elliott (Marquette), and Blake Hinson (Iowa State).
PITT MEN’S BASKETBALL 2022-23 NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
November 7 vs. Tennessee-Martin
UT Martin competes in the OVC, and finished last season with a 8-22 record, ending as the No. 307 team in the nation according to Kenpom.com.
Since the end of last season, UT Martin has added former Pitt Panther Parker Stewart, former Gardner Webb guard Jordan Sears, forward Rifen Miguel (Troy), guard Desmond Williams (Troy), and more. The Skyhawks return leading scorer KJ Simon, who averaged 16.9 points per game last season.
November 11 vs. West Virginia
The Backyard Brawl returns to Pittsburgh this season as Bob Huggins’ Mountaineers come to town on November 11. WVU finished last season with a record of 16-17, ranking No. 66 in the nation according to Kenpom.com.
This offseason, Huggins has rebuilt his roster with veteran talent in both the front court and the back court, adding four experienced transfers. Pittsburgh native and former Texas Longhorn Tre Mitchell headlines the incoming class, with Joe Toussaint (Iowa), Emmitt Matthews Jr. (Washington), and Erik Stevenson (South Carolina) rounding out the newcomers. Guard Kedrian Johnson will lead the returnees from last year’s squad and the Mountaineers will certainly prove a tough test for Pitt.
Portal Report: West Virginia Quietly Produces One of Best Transfer Classes in Country
November 16-17 Legends Classic in Brooklyn, New York (Arizona State, Michigan, VCU)
*While Pitt’s schedule for the Legends Classic has not been revealed yet, here are summaries of all three opposing teams in the event.
*Arizona State finished last season 14-17, ranking No. 97 in the nation according to Kenpom.com. The Sun Devils return several significant contributors, including Marcus Bagley, Luther Muhammed, and DJ Horne, among others.
Bobby Hurley and his staff have also brought in four talented transfers to Tempe: Desmond Cambridge (Nevada), Devan Cambridge (Auburn), Frankie Collins (Michigan), and Warren Washington (Nevada).
*Michigan finished last season at 19-15, ranking No. 27 in the nation according to Kenpom.com.
The Wolverines return national star big man Hunter Dickinson, as well as Kobe Bufkin, Isaiah Barnes, and more talented veterans. HC Juwan Howard also brought in a talented group of newcomers, headlined by former Princeton guard Jaelin Llewellyn, who was one of the top names in the transfer portal all year, and former Duke shooter Joey Baker. Four-star high school big man Tarris Reed also joins the roster alongside guard recruits Jett Howard, Dug McDaniel, and Gregg Glenn.
*VCU finished last season with a strong 22-10 record, ranking No. 63 in the nation per Kenpom.com. The Rams return all-A10 guard Ace Baldwin, forward Jamir Watkins, and more talent from last year.
Since the end of the season, VCU has added two former Michigan players, as forward Brandon Johns Jr. and guard Zeb Jackson now play for the Rams. It has also brought on former Pitt targets Alphonzo Billups and Christian Fermin in the 2022 high-school class.
November 20 vs. Alabama State
Alabama State competes in the SWAC, and finished last season 10-21. The program lost several players to the transfer portal this offseason, but added Keyon Wesley (Arkansas State) and Alex Anderson (South Alabama) to the mix from the portal.
The Hornets return their top three scorers from last year, as forwards Trace Young and Gerald Liddell, as well as 6-foot-6 guard Kenny Strawbridge will lead the way once again.
November 22 vs. Fairleigh Dickinson
Fairleigh Dickinson was one of the worst teams in all of Division One hoops last year, winning just four of its 26 games on the year. It finished ranked as the No. 345 team in the nation (out of 358) per Kenpom.com.
The Knights’ top five scorers from last year have either graduated or transferred out.
November 25 vs. William & Mary
The Tribe finished last season with an abysmal record of 5-27, competing in the CAA and ranking No. 338 in the nation, per Kenpom.com.
William and Mary returns one of its top scorers from last year, Ben Wight (6-foot-9 forward), but loses a key piece in guard Connor Kochera (Davidson). This offseason, the staff brought in Vanderbilt transfer Gabe Dorsey, Rice transfer Chris Mullins, former St. Thomas (Minnesota) guard Anders Nelson, former Providence guard Matteus Case, and former Pitt forward Noah Collier.Â
November 28 at Northwestern (ACC/Big Ten Challenge)
Chris Collins’ Northwestern squad finished last season with a 15-16 record, ranking No. 87 in the nation according to Kenpom.com.
The Wildcats lost star forward Pete Nance to North Carolina, and also lost forward Ryan Young to Duke. The Wildcats added Tydus Verhoeven (UTEP), and also return guards Boo Buie, Ty Berry, and Chase Audige to the floor this season.
December 7 at Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt finished last season 19-17, ranking No. 64 in the country per Kenmpom.com.
The Commodores lost some key pieces from last year’s squad with Scotty Pippen Jr. heading off to the NBA (Lakers), Gabe Dorsey transferring to William and Mary, Jamaine Mann transferring to Georgia State, Terren Frank going to Idaho, and Shane Dezonie transferring to Temple.
Last season, Vanderbilt defeated Pitt at the Petersen Events Center behind guard Trey Thomas’ 14-point effort. Thomas, forward Quentin Millora-Brown, and Jordan Wright will lead Jerry Stackhouse’s squad this season.
December 10 vs. Sacred Heart
Sacred Heart went 10-20 last season, ranking No. 320 out of 358 teams in Division One, per Kenpom.com.
The Pioneers lost its top two scorers — Tyler Thomas (Hofstra) and Aaron Clarke (Stony Brook) — to the transfer portal this offseason. However, the staff brought in Raheem Solomon (Niagara) and Brendan McGuire (Quinnipiac) from the portal to attempt to rebuild the roster.
December 17 vs. North Florida
North Florida went 11-20 last season, finishing No. 272 in the nation, per Kenpom.com.
The Ospreys return each of their top four scorers from last season, with guard Jose Placer, guard Jarius Hicklen, forward Carter Hendrickson, and forward Jadyn Parker returning.
The Ospreys brought in Oscar Berry (Fairleigh Dickinson) from the portal this offseason as well.
No Duquesne again? That’s weak
Agreed