The Pitt Panthers basketball team has been busy preparing for their second round opponent in the 2013 NCAA Tournament, the Wichita State Shockers. The Shockers are familiar to Jamie Dixon and his staff as Pitt played Wichita State three years ago in a tournament in Kansas City during the 2009-10 season. "As soon as I saw we were going to play them I knew how they played," said Dixon. "I know Coach Marshall and how he has played over the years. Without seeing them you can get a good idea of ... Read More
Pitt’s Taylor and Woodall go out winners as Panthers defeat Villanova
There have been plenty of great Big East Conference moments at the Petersen Events Center over the years, but with the upcoming move to the ACC, the Pitt Panthers will be turning a new chapter in making history at The Pete. Thanks to a big effort in overtime from Talib Zanna and a couple big clutch three-pointers from freshman James Robinson, the Panthers closed their chapter of Big East history the same way they started it- with a win as No. 23 Pitt knocked off Villanova 73-64 in their final ... Read More
Tray Woodall, Dante Taylor prepare for final Pitt home game
When the Pitt Panthers host the Villanova Wildcats Sunday afternoon at the Petersen Events Center, it won't represent the final game of the careers for Panthers' seniors Tray Woodall and Dante Taylor, but it will represent something of equal importance. Sunday afternoon is the final home game of the season for the Panthers, which means it is the final time Woodall and Taylor will get to play in front of the Oakland Zoo. "It will be emotional," said Woodall. "I said I wouldn't be one of ... Read More
Yinzers of the Week: PITT Seniors
For this week's edition of Yinzer of the Week, we've decided to change things up a bit. First, we're giving the award to two players rather than one. Second, we're compiling the stats for an entire career not just a week. Lastly, we're giving the award before the game is even played. Generally, we take a look at the teams in the Pittsburgh area and take a look at their records and the outstanding players of the week. The week runs from Saturday to Friday, with the winner announced on each ... Read More
Pitt flicks the switch in rout of South Florida
In Pitt’s victory Sunday over St. Johns, it looked like the Panthers simply flicked a switch to heat up at both ends of the floor in the second half. They flicked that same switch Wednesday night against South Florida. After struggling offensively for much of the game, the Panthers turned it on in the second half in a 64-44 Big East Conference victory. Trailing 30-28 in the second half with just under 16 minutes remaining, and shooting only 27.6 percent for the game, the Panthers ... Read More
Pitt must address rebounding issues Saturday vs. U Conn
There has been one common theme surrounding the four losses the Pitt Panthers basketball team has suffered so far during the 2012-13 campaign- the lack of rebounding. Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon has stressed the importance of rebounding over and over again, but the message hasn’t exactly gotten through yet. Currently Pitt ranks only 190th in the nation, pulling down only 34.7 boards per contest, which is not like a Pitt team. It has hurt them at stretches throughout the season, ... Read More
Dixon concerned about Panthers’ rebounding
Win or lose, one thing that Pitt Panthers' head coach Jamie Dixon can almost certainly depend on is the fact that his team will crash the boards. Usually always one of the best rebounding teams in the nation, the Panthers can usually be counted on to limit opponents to one shot per possession and usually can create more than a few second shot opportunities for themselves at the offensive end. However that hasn't been the case the past three games as Pitt hasn't done a great job rebounding the ... Read More
Pitt Completes Comeback for the Ages in Overtime Win vs. Oakland
The Pitt Panthers men’s basketball team has a date at Madison Square Garden with No. 5 Michigan on Wednesday. Apparently they forgot they had to play Oakland on Saturday. Pitt fell into classic trap game syndrome and failed to come out and execute early and found themselves down as many as 18 in the second half, but a furious comeback from the Panthers forced overtime. Once they got there they dominated the Golden Grizzlies and ultimately came out on top with a 72-62 victory to improve to 4-0 ... Read More
Pitt’s Size Proving to Be Major Advantage
One thing that has been evident throughout the early season for Jamie Dixon’s Pitt Panthers is thy have had a size advantage on the inside and are willing to use it, especially on the defensive end of the floor. Dixon’s starting lineup features the 7’0” freshman Steven Adams at center and 6’9” Talib Zanna at the power forward spot, but 6’9” Dante Taylor has also logged major minutes at both the 4 and the 5 so far this season. Having three capable big bodies has paid dividends at both ends ... Read More