Takeaways: Jaland Lowe Records Career Night in Pitt Opener

PITTSBURGH — Coming off consecutive 20-win seasons, the Pitt men’s basketball team opened the 2024-25 campaign with a decisive 96-56 win over the visiting Radford Highlanders.

Game 1 of the season provided a glimpse of what the Panthers have to offer this season without the likes of NBA draft pick Carlton “Bub” Carrington and Blake Hinson, while ushering in a new pair of transfers and a young guard looking to make an early impact.

There’s plenty to talk about following Pitt’s season opener, but let’s look at five main takeaways from the win:

Lowe Records Career Night

Entering the season, Jaland Lowe was regarded by CBS Sports and ESPN as a top-100 player in college basketball. Well, he certainly looked the part on Monday as Lowe set a new career high in points with 21, along with five rebounds and six assists.

The 6-3 guard carried over his impressive finish from last season with no hesitation as he picked his spots, commanded the offense seamlessly and created offense by driving to the hoop.

He nailed two triples, including a deep step-back shot to bring the first half to a close. He finished the game shooting 6-of-11 from the floor.

Jaland Lowe knocks down the deep three at the halftime buzzer.

Pitt leads by 18. pic.twitter.com/u8wXERsEuD

— George Michalowski (@MichalowskiCBB) November 5, 2024

What’s more, Lowe has incredible vision and sense to dish the ball off and set up his teammates. That was showcased last year, but it’s become a regular tool in his game and makes him that much more effective. It won’t show up on the scoresheet, but his no-look pass to Zack Austin on the wing displayed his confidence and awareness that Lowe plays with to locate a wide-open Austin. It might’ve been the top play from Lowe all night if Austin connected.

Last year, Lowe averaged 3.7 assists per game. Expect that number to climb to nearly six, making him amongst the best in the ACC at distributing the ball.

As his versatility glistened, Lowe also played a clean game with no turnovers and one personal foul, all while picking up three steals thanks to his active defense.

Lowe is expected to be a star this season for the Panthers and it’s safe to say he passed test No. 1 on the season with flying colors.

From Sixth Man to Starter

Ishmael Leggett started the first 11 games last season before he became an option off the bench for the Panthers. Leggett now returns to that role this year going from the ACC Sixth Man of the Year to an every day starter.

The 6-3 guard was a factor on both ends of the floor for the Panthers as he dropped 19 points on 9-of-13 shooting, including a triple. Defensively, he snagged 10 of his 12 rebounds and forced two turnovers.

Without Hinson, Leggett showed his veteran presence: cool, calm and an all-around impact.

He also put together the highlight of the night. After Brandin Cummings missed on a three, Leggett tracked down the rebound as he flew in from the corner and finished with a put-back slam.

“Man. Yooo…we ain’t never seen that one before,” Lowe said laughing after the game.

“Legs just feeling a little better today,” Leggett said in response.

That’s that ISH 😮‍💨 @great8ish pic.twitter.com/7wx4gLCg4a

— Pitt Basketball (@Pitt_MBB) November 5, 2024

If Leggett, a Preseason Second Team All-ACC honoree, can play at a high level all season long, the backcourt duo may solidify itself as one of the best in the conference.

Backcourt Depth

To go along with Lowe and Leggett, we got our first look at transfer guard Damian Dunn, along with freshman “Beebah” Cummings.

Dunn, a transfer from Houston, will slot in at the 2 or 3 for the Panthers and provide a scoring touch off the bench. He may just be next in line to win the Sixth Man of the Year, carrying the lineage from Nike Sibande and Leggett.

He quietly put up 11 points, a triple and two assists in a clean game from the grad senior.

As Dunn brought his veteran experience, Cummings was getting his first taste of college basketball.

The 6-3 freshman looked raw, but still made plays and was trusted to log some big minutes early in the first half. His first bucket set the tone of what to expect from him with Pitt as he drove to the hoop and finished on a sweet up-and-under.

“He can really score,” head coach Jeff Capel said. “One of the big things I love is he’s not afraid. I think that’s where he’s from, where he grew up, who he was around. Having an older brother (Nelly) that is a really good player and a really competitive guy, I love their relationship and how close they are.

“He’s a guy that’s really quiet off the court. Unbelievably low maintence and really smart. When he crosses those lines, it’s like he’s this manic competitive guy and we need him to be that for us.

Team defense leads to the first basket for freshman @ambition___3 🙌

Pitt 19, Radford 14 (9:31 1st)#H2P / 📺 https://t.co/vKp19AuR2h pic.twitter.com/IAA9VmzyUZ

— Pitt Basketball (@Pitt_MBB) November 5, 2024

Cummings finished the night with 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting with a triple and three assists in 24 minutes of work.

Of note, Pitt’s guards took care of the ball all night, registering just two turnovers, while notching seven steals on defense.

Pitt is in a good spot with it’s guard play and the options at its disposal. When Amsal Delalic returns from injury, it will allow Capel to have more room to mix and match within the lineup.

Corhen Brings Much-Needed Offensive Presence

As Florida State transfer Cameron Corhen moved out on the floor, it reminded me a lot of what John Hugley was at one point in time and could have been for the Panthers.

Corhen was a difference maker offensively and it wasn’t just off set plays that forced him into a quick look. He was allowed to create and he did just that. The 6-foot-10 junior used all of his frame and size to back down defenders and give himself an opportunity to score.

“He has an offensive ability that we haven’t had in a few years. He can score with his back to the basket, but he can put the ball on the floor and can pass it. I think he’s really good 15 to 17 feet,” Capel said.

Pittsburgh Panthers forward Cameron Corhen (2) November 4, 2024 David Hague/PSN

He totaled 12 points on 6-of-10 from the floor, while picking up five rebounds. Corhen was limited for a while in the first half due to two quick fouls, but he finished with 25 minutes on the floor for the Panthers.

As Corhen worked in the post, the Panthers scored 50 points in the paint, which is a welcome sign. A lot of it had to do with Corhen’s play away from the ball, allowing his guards the opportunity to drive past their man into a clean lane.

Having Corhen in the frontcourt will be vital for the Panthers’ offense and the opportunity to score in multiple ways.

The Start of a NCAA Tournament Campaign?

Capel and the Pitt men’s basketball program have lofty expectations this season and that’s nothing short of a NCAA Tournament appearance.

In Game 1 of the season, Capel and the players admitted postgame that there was some anxiousness in the first 10 to 15 minutes of the game and once they got past that barrier it was free flowing from there.

The Panthers went on a 17-3 run to close the first half and looked much like the team everyone expected against an opponent like Radford.

Leggett added his put-back slam and a triple during that span, along with Lowe’s late triple. Guillermo Diaz Graham also threw down a dunk on his way to 10 points and nine rebound.

The Panthers were scoring in various ways, along with sinking eight 3-pointers from seven different players.

“I’ve said it over and over, I don’t think we’ll have one guy make over 100 like Blake did. I think we can make as many or more than we have in the past couple years. We have a team full of guys that I have confidence as long as they’re good shots that can make shots.”

Pitt has a lot of intriguing pieces on this team with a proven history. Once Delalic gets inserted into this roster, Pitt will have a strong rotation and certainly be a team that surpasses 20 wins and once again vie for a tournament berth.