The Pitt Panthers started a string Tuesday night of seven consecutive home games against lower competition when they hosted the Howard Bison at the Petersen Events Center. It took Pitt a while to get going, but Jamie Dixon’s squad did exactly what they were supposed to do to a team like the Bison- win going away. Pitt tied a season-high with eight three-pointers, including a career-high five from Lamar Patterson as the Panthers cruised to a 70-46 victory to improve to 6-1 on the ... Read More
Jamie Dixon has options to replace Trey Zeigler
Much has been made of the depth that Jamie Dixon's Pitt Panthers currently have and with the news of Trey Zeigler's suspension, that depth will be tested immediately. However the loss of Zeigler may not be felt as badly as some people may believe. Dixon has consistently been playing 10 guys and it's fair to think that number would shrink anyway once Big East Conference play begins. Zeigler, a former top 30 recruit, has been Dixon's first guard off the bench in most games, but has received ... Read More
Trey Zeigler Charged with DUI, Suspended Indefinitely
Through six games, Jamie Dixon's Pitt Panthers have shown great depth en route to a 5-1 start to the season, but junior transfer guard Trey Zeigler will be testing exactly how deep the Panthers really are. Zeigler has been charged with driving under the influence, stemming from an incident over the weekend. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports Zeigler will "be charged by mail summons with two misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence. Details of the arrest were not immediately ... Read More
Pitt’s Bigs Dominate in Win Over Delaware
Well that was more like it. Just two days after suffering their first loss of the season to No. 4 Michigan, Jamie Dixon's Pitt Panthers bounced back nicely with an 85-59 victory over Delaware in the Consolation Game of the Preseason NIT in Madison Square Garden. And they did it the way they won the first four games of the season- with great defense, balanced scoring and a big day from their frontcourt. The Panthers had five players in double figures on the night and the starting ... Read More
Michigan Hands Pitt First Loss of Season
Wednesday night, Jamie Dixon’s Pitt Panthers got their first real test of the season in No. 4 Michigan and while the Panthers clearly passed the test, they came up just a bit short and suffered their first defeat of the season. It was a very tight game throughout and the Panthers led 33-29 at the half and kept that lead until the 11 minute mark of the second half, but ultimately Michigan pulled away and escaped the Garden with a 67-62 win to advance to the finals of the Preseason NIT. A ... Read More
Panthers Get First Real Test in No. 4 Michigan
Jamie Dixon's 4-0 Pitt Panthers get their first real test of the season Wednesday night when they hook up with No. 4 Michigan in the semifinals of the Preseason NIT in Madison Square Garden. The Panthers executed well at both ends of the floor in the early going, but doing so against the likes of Mount St. Mary's, Fordham, Lehigh and Oakland is one thing, but doing so against the Wolverines could be a different story altogether. Pitt has won their four games in different ways, but mostly ... Read More
Tray Woodall Becoming the Leader Jamie Dixon is Looking For
Pitt Panthers head coach Jamie Dixon has always been able to lean on his veteran leadership. Usually always blessed with an experienced basketball team, things took a turn in a hurry last season as the Panthers became extremely young almost overnight. His one leader- Ashton Gibbs- turned out to be anything but that and the youth showed up in Pitt’s disappointing record. But things may be back to normal for Dixon and the Panthers, because once again he has that leader on 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
Zanna’s Improved Game a Big Reason for Pitt’s 3-0 Start
A big part of the 3-0 start for the Pitt Panthers has been the improved play of power forward Talib Zanna, who has been nothing short of outstanding through three games. Zanna, who has averaged 5.2 points per game throughout his collegiate career thus far, came out and set a career-high in the Panthers opener against Mount St. Mary’s, dropping 20 on the Mountaineers, a total he matched against Lehigh on Tuesday night. The scoring is great for a Pitt team that many felt could struggle scoring ... Read More