National basketball analyst Jon Rothstein recently released his latest preseason power rankings, this time ranking the ACC and its teams.
Rothstein included Pitt at No. 9 in the league out of the Atlantic Coast Conference’s 15 teams. Pitt’s Blake Hinson made the cut for Rothstein’s predicted Preseason All-ACC First Team. Both Jaland Lowe and Dior Johnson made his 10 Impact ACC Freshman list as well.
ACC Offseason Breakdown
Pitt made it to the NCAA Tournament last season, winning a First Four and a Round of 64 game along the way. The Panthers finished 24-12 (14-6 ACC) for the program’s best finish since 2015-16, the last season of Jamie Dixon’s tenure at Pitt. Pitt head coach Jeff Capel took home ACC Coach of the Year honors after leading the Panthers to their first winning season in his five-year tenure.
This offseason, the Panthers have added Rhode Island transfer Ishmael Leggett as well as High Point transfer Zack Austin. Pitt also brought in freshmen Jaland Lowe, Carlton Carrington, Papa Kante, and Marlon Barnes, and return redshirt freshman Dior Johnson, who did not play last season.
Last season’s preseason predictions certainly were too low … as for this year, I really don’t know. This one seems low at #9 but, there are plenty of new faces and I haven’t seen these guys play together yet. Certainly loads of talent, but will everyone gel ? Also, this team may play faster and smaller and if shots are falling, we could be tough to beat. Either way, can’t wait to see. H2P !