Last year, Pitt defied most pre-season predictions and won 24 games, making the NCAA Tournament and winning a First Four game and a Round of 64 game in the big dance.
Prior to last season, PSN logged the predictions of Pitt’s record from national media outlets who were projecting the ACC and national basketball standings.
Before last season, national analysts from CBS Sports, The Almanac, and Sports Illustrated all had Pitt finishing lower than tenth in the ACC (and as low as No. 15). Popular analytical predictor KenPom.com’s computers also did not think highly of Pitt heading into the year, as Kenpom.com had the Panthers at 13th in the ACC. I had the Panthers going 18-13 and finishing ninth in the league. The Panthers ended up finishing tied for third place in the league with a record of 14-6 in conference play and an overall regular season record of 22-11.
This season, national outlets are again feeling as though the Panthers will not crack the top half of the conference standings as we head into the beginning of the year. Let’s check out the preseason predictions that are out there so far.
CBS SPORTS’ JON ROTHSTEIN
In July, Rothstein released his ACC Offseason Power Rankings, slating the Panthers at No. 9 in the conference. Rothstein had Dior Johnson in his Pitt starting lineup at that point.
CBS SPORTS’ MATT NORLANDER
Norlander has Pitt as the No. 81 team in the nation. “…I’m wondering if he [Capel]’s got enough talent and cohesiveness to come close to getting there [the NCAA Tournament] a second year in a row,” he said. In his rankings, Pitt is the No. 12 team in the ACC, behind Duke (5), Virginia (14), Miami (19), North Carolina (28), Clemson (40), Wake Forest (55), Virginia Tech (57), Syracuse (58), NC State (66), Boston College (71), and Florida State (74).
EVANMIYA.COM
Miyakawa’s computer has the Panthers at No. 76 before the season begins. Pitt’s offense comes in at No. 79, while the defense ranks at No. 71.
BARTTORVIK.COM
Bart Torvik has the Panthers at No. 86 in the country with a projected record of 17-13 (9-11 ACC).
ESPN BRACKETOLOGY
ESPN’s preseason bracketology does not include the Panthers in the field of 68, nor does it have the Panthers in the First Four Out or Next Four Out categories.
THE ALMANAC
The Almanac has the Panthers finishing at No. 13 in the ACC out of the conference’s 15 teams, above only Notre Dame and Louisville.
National basketball analyst Jeff Goodman wrote a well-detailed report breaking down the Panthers in The Almanac, mixed in with some insight directly from Jeff Capel. Goodman finished his piece with the following quote, “An NIT appearance would be considered a success for the Panthers this season.” Goodman also predicts that Blake Hinson will be a First Team All-ACC selection.
14-18.
That record wouldn’t surprise me. Nor would the reverse of it. I’m thinking .500 to slightly above. Hinson is a badass. That young backcourt tho.
GOOD GRIEF Charlie Brown.
Ya never know. But this is a very different team than last year. All those very good and experienced back court players have gone. I look for our young players to figure it out fast. Some talented freshman. I also expect a big leap from the Twin Towers.
Capel has underdelivered. He’s accomplished absolutely nothing. No reason to think this program will have a breakthrough season any time soon.
I think making the tourney last year was an accomplishment.
The Athletic rates Capel as a tier 5 coach. There are 7 tiers. He is pretty much rated at the bottom of power conference coaches
Why don’t you stop making stuff up?
It’s in black and white on The Athletic’s site………..I don’t need to fabricate anything- Capel’s below mediocre performance is well accepted everywhere but on fanboy pages.
What is 14-18? Your hat size? Your intelligence range? You need to stop the name calling and worry about fixing your boy Narduzzi. Buy the way what color is a felon?
14-18 is a prediction for their record. It’s not “making stuff up” Dummy. Keep whining about race. The truth is just that. Clown
If the shoe fits? A clown is a person that makes people laugh. Can’t v you hear the laughter?
“Can’t v you hear the laughter?” Is English your first language, or are you just a moron?
And it’s “by the way”. And you’re blathering about intelligence. Stupid.
Error
What’s 2-5? I can’t wait to here your excuses v for that stupid little troll
Triggering your simpleton sensibilities is truly picking low hanging fruit. Be back to you when the season starts skippy!