Pitt Basketball Season Preview: Panthers Aim to Use Toughness to Surpass Expectations
The Pitt men's basketball program, led by head coach Jeff Capel in his eighth season, is focused on returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2022-23 season and only the second time under Capel’s leadership. Despite retaining three players from last year, the Panthers' roster has transformed significantly with many transfers and freshmen joining the team.
Though this squad may not be among Capel's most talented on paper, it emphasizes increased size, toughness, and physicality, which are expected to help offset talent disparities within the competitive ACC.
“We can’t be a team that thinks we can just show up,” Capel said after the team’s second exhibition. “There is a certain way that we have to show up. We aren’t one of these teams that is just going to out-talent you. We have talent but we don’t have the type of talent that some of these teams do. But if we are tough, and we are together, and we play with an edge, then we can be a really good team.”
Key Returning Players
- Brandin Cummings – A guard who played in 31 games as a freshman last season, earning four starts, aiming to secure a starting role this year.
- Cam Cohren – Forward and important contributor looking to start.
- Papa Kante – Forward expected to be a key rotational player for the Panthers.
This season will test the Panthers’ resilience and unity as they look to translate toughness into success on the court.
Coach Capel highlights the team's need to compensate for talent with physicality and cohesion to become strong competitors.
Summary: The Pitt Panthers, though less talented on paper, aim to leverage toughness and teamwork under coach Jeff Capel to surpass expectations in the 2025-26 basketball season.
More News
- F1 2026 : Lancements, livrées et premiers indices d'une révolution en piste
- Spurs' Luke Kornet out Friday
- Lightning vs. Islanders Prediction, Odds, Picks - Dec. 6
- Kelly Massol : « J’ai réalisé 40% de mon ambition »
- Hamilton urges Ferrari to make 'personnel changes' ahead of F1 2026
- How former Gonzaga stars perform in NBA
- Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New York Islanders - Game Highlights
- Kelly Vedovelli révèle sa vie amoureuse
- Spurs' Kelly Olynyk: Ongoing Decline in Playing Time and Role
- Game Preview: Islanders vs Lightning