On Wednesday, Pitt basketball released its full non-conference schedule, headlined by its matchup at West Virginia and the Preseason NIT event which includes other big-name programs.
Find the non-conference slate below.
Nov. 1: Pitt-Johnstown (EXH)
Nov. 6: NC A&T
Nov. 10: Binghamton
Nov. 13: FGCU
Nov. 17: Jacksonville
Nov. 22: Preseason NIT (Brooklyn against either Baylor, Florida, or Oregon State)
Nov. 24: Preseason NIT (Brooklyn) (Brooklyn against either Baylor, Florida, or Oregon State)
Nov. 28: Missouri
Dec. 6: @ West Virginia
Dec. 9: Canisius
Dec. 16: South Carolina State
Dec. 20: Purdue Fort Wayne
BREAKDOWN
The Panthers will not play a true road game until December 6 in Morgantown, where they will face Josh Eiliert’s revamped West Virginia squad led by Kerr Kriisa and former Syracuse big Jesse Edwards. Missouri is another big one, as the Tigers will come to town for the ACC/SEC Challenge in a matchup of two NCAA Tournament squads from last year.
Last year’s MTE in Brooklyn taught the Panthers some valuable lessons and was referred to as a real turning point several times by the team and the coaches. However, the Panthers will look to improve from last year’s 0-2 run in the Barclays Center this season against solid competition in Florida, Oregon State, and Baylor.
Final 2022-23 Kenpom.com rankings of Pitt’s non-conference opponents:
No. 16 Baylor
No. 19 West Virginia
No. 57 Missouri
No. 74 Florida
No. 185 FGCU
No. 214 Oregon State
No. 234 Jacksonville
No. 240 Purdue Fort Wayne
No. 249 Canisius
No. 311 Binghamton
No. 319 NC A&T
No. 345 South Carolina State
Can’t the media give up on WV or are you in the employment of WV? Playing them serves no purpose other than to give you something to write about. We are in the ACC until either the Big Ten or SEC makes an offer for the whole conference.