Jeff Capel’s Pitt Panthers will take the floor on Monday night against UT Martin in the 2022-23 college hoops season opener.
Ahead of the first game of the year, Pittsburgh Sports Now caught up with members of the local and national media and compiled predictions for the Panthers.
George Michalowski – Pittsburgh Sports Now
Pitt to finish 18-13. (9-11 in ACC). 9-2 in the non-conference slate. 9th in the ACC.
Tristan Freeman – Busting Brackets
Pitt to finish 15-16 (8-12 ACC). 11th in the ACC.
Noah Hiles – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pitt to finish 17-14 (8-12 ACC).
“Non-conf losses will be to WVU and Michigan. They will go 8-12 in ACC play which will put them at 10th in the conference. I have them getting a bid to the NIT. ACC wins come against Syracuse x2, Louisville x2, Georgia Tech x2, Boston College and Clemson.”
Corey Crisan – DK PGH Sports
Pitt to finish 14th in the ACC. “I’m seeing a 12–15-win team here.”
Christopher Carter – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pitt to finish 18-13, (11-9 ACC). 8th in ACC.
“This is with John Hugley’s return by the start of conference play. Pitt has scorers which will help end their slumps sooner than they did last year. Capel gets his first winning record, but they aren’t able to get to the dance.”
Stephen Thompson – Inside the Panthers (Sports Illustrated)
Pitt to finish 16-14 (8-12 ACC), 10th in conference.
“Jeff Capel has said this is the most talented roster he’s had since being at Pitt and the early returns back that up. They are a vastly improved offensive team, thanks to transfers Nelly Cummings, Blake Hinson and Greg Elliott. What could shake this up is how long John Hugley is out for, especially considering there are some winnable games against high major opponents early in the season.”
Chris Peak – Pantherlair.com
Pitt to finish 16-15.
Jerry DiPaola – Triblive.com
Pitt to finish 14-17 (8-12 ACC).
Nick Farabaugh – Pittsburgh Sports Now
Pitt to finish 17-14 (9-11 ACC). 10th in ACC.
Mike Vukovcan – Pittsburgh Sports Now
Pitt to finish 18-13. 8th in ACC. Receives bid to the NIT.
NATIONAL MEDIA PREDICTIONS
Ken Pomeroy (kenpom.com)
Pitt to finish 13th in the ACC. No. 84 team in the country.
Field of 68’s Terrence Oglesby
Pitt to finish last place (15th) in the ACC.
Sports Illustrated’s Kevin Sweeney
Pitt to finish 13th in ACC.
Jeff Goodman via The Almanac
Pitt to finish 11th in ACC.
CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein
Pitt to finish 10th in ACC.
ACC Offseason Breakdown
I think these writers have undervalued Pitt’s completely overhauled roster. They have three point shooters, they have plenty of bigs. I have Pitt at 20 – 11 with upset wins over WVU and Florida State.
H2P