Through two weeks of college hoops, we’ve got winless teams, undefeated teams, and everything in between in the Pittsburgh basketball scene.
After seeing seven games in the first two weeks, I wanted to chime in with some thoughts on what I’ve seen from the local teams.
PITT MBB (4-0)
The Pitt men have lived up to the expectations in its first four games. I was very high on Damian Dunn’s addition this offseason, and he has proven to be an elite player for Pitt so far. Most thought he would be a sixth-man type of player for Pitt. He’s started all four games, is second on the team in scoring, only has two turnovers, and leads the team in points per possession at 1.32. He has been spectacular so far.
Cam Corhen looks the part, as well. The key for Corhen, if you’ve listened to Capel’s press conferences so far this season, will be adjusting to a heavy load of minutes for Pitt this year. We knew he had skill. But Pitt seems to be unlocking more and more out of him with each game (How about that three last game?).
Jaland Lowe and Ishmael Leggett look fit to be stars and leaders of this team. Not going to add much extra here for these two — because we expected it (and they expected it) all offseason out of the pair. After VMI, LSU should be a great test at The Greenbrier.
PITT WBB (3-1)
Pitt has a great forward in Khadija Faye, who I watched drop 25 and 12 in a lopsided win over Canisius. Four other players shot over 50% from the field in that game, too: Lauren Rust, Marley Washenitz, Aislin Malcolm, and Aaryn Battle. Amiya Jenkins played well. Pitt’s 19 turnovers were a bit concerning to me in that game against a significantly less talented team in Canisius. On the bright side, to paraphrase what Tory Verdi noted after the game, to not play your best game and still win by 42 isn’t the worst thing in the world.
Pitt then got the job done against Bucknell in a tight one at the Pete last weekend. A win is a win, but beating Bucknell by three points at home isn’t the most convincing result. Then came West Virginia — who forced 30 Pitt turnovers en route to a big win. The Mountaineers are ranked No. 15 in the country.
The Panthers earned a nice road victory over Binghamton this weekend, winning by five points behind big games from Faye, Battle, and Mikayla Johnson. Malcolm also added three more three pointers in the win. Up next, Pitt has Delaware State and Robert Morris before high-major competition kicks into gear.
DUQUESNE MBB (0-3)
Dru Joyce III is still looking to bring home his first win as a head coach after three tough games to start the year. The Dukes first dropped a close one against Lipscomb, battling back from a scorching-hot start from the opposition but ultimately coming up short after a few late turnovers. Then, against Princeton, Duquesne surrendered 11 threes at a 45% clip from the Tigers in another tight loss in New Jersey. In that game, Maximus Edwards went 0 for 10 from the field.
Lastly, Duquesne fell to a resurgent DePaul program on the road. After going into the half down just six, Duquesne surrendered a big second half to the Blue Demons. The Dukes took care of the ball and earned scoring contributions from nine different players, but DePaul’s talent took over late.
The Dukes have time to figure things out, with several games remaining in the non-conference slate against teams from lower-level conferences. These first three games have all come against top-130 ranked teams in KenPom. Next up, the Dukes have Milwaukee on Tuesday at home, then they’re off to the Cayman Islands.
DUQUESNE WBB (2-1)
Dan Burt’s squad has had a very intriguing start to the season so far. Megan McConnell is one of the best guards in the country, and nearly dropped a triple-double in Duquesne’s lone loss of the year in a battle against Penn State on the road. She continues to post video game-like stat lines for the Dukes, alongside Nadia Moore, Jerni Kiaku and company.
Gabby Hutcherson delivered four three pointers and 16 points against Penn State, and Kiaku exploded for 24 points and five assists in a blowout win over Niagara.
The Dukes have Kent State, RMU, Saint Francis, and Pitt next on the schedule.
ROBERT MORRIS MBB (4-2)
Unfortunately for RMU, it has been without Justice Williams and Kam Woods — the two players we talked about most this offseason — for most of this year already. However, it sounds like Woods will be back soon. For the time being, the Colonials have grown as a unit. They hosted the Urban-Bennett Invitational MTE this weekend and did what they had to do — beat bad teams. Stonehill, Lindenwood, and New Orleans are all ranked in the bottom-20 of KenPom’s rankings (out of 364 D1 teams). It wasn’t always pretty, but the Colonials stuck together and got the job done, going 3-0 and winning the event.
Andy Toole’s squad has some very dynamic pieces that feel talented enough to really compete in the Horizon League this year. Amarion Dickerson and Josh Omojafo are athletically gifted and both had great weekends on both sides of the ball. Folgueiras has looked better and better with each game and is a dynamic option on offense.
As the competition gets tougher (Cornell up next), how long can RMU survive without healthy versions of Woods and Williams? That’s the big question. I am very excited to see a fully healthy squad playing under Toole because I think the overall talent is there.
ROBERT MORRIS WBB (2-1)
RMU’s women’s squad is off to a solid start under first-year head coach Chandler McCabe at 1-1 in D1 action, with its loss coming in overtime to Charleston, who was picked fourth in the CAA preseason poll.
The Colonials earned their first D1 win of the year over Akron, a team picked to finish in the bottom half of the MAC. Transfer guard Noa Givon did it all in the win over the Zips, going for 16 points, six boards, and two assists. Check out the tape here. She balled out against Charleston as well. In addition, 6-foot-2 forward Danielle Vuletich has been rock solid scoring-wise and has increased her presence on the glass with each game. Up next, the Colonials will take on some familiar faces. First, Saint Francis, then Pitt, then Duquesne.
SMALL SCHOOL RECORDS
POINT PARK (D2): 2-2
CARNEGIE MELLON (D3): 2-1
CHATHAM (D3): 2-1
CARLOW (D3): 1-3
LA ROCHE (D3): 0-4
