As Jamie Dixon's Pitt Panthers soft non-conference schedule winds down this week with games against Delaware State (Wednesday) and Kennesaw State (Sunday), it may not be a big test for the Panthers in terms of winning or losing, but it is a huge final test for Pitt freshman center Steven Adams. With the Big East Conference season beginning December 31 against the Cincinnati Bearcats, it would be nice to see Adams heading into conference play on a high note. The heralded freshman has had ... 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’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
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
Pitt Looks Strong Again; Cruises Past Fordham
The Pitt Panthers men’s basketball team opened up the season in impressive fashion, with a school record performance from the floor. As they opened up the Preseason NIT against Fordham, Jamie Dixon’s Panthers weren’t nearly that efficient shooting the ball, but still shot well enough to cruise to an 86-51 victory and advance to the tournament’s next round. It was the same recipe as the Pitt’s opening win against Mount St. Mary’s. “I was really pleased with our effort and the results,” ... Read More
Pitt Wins Opener Behind Record Setting Performance
The Pitt Men’s Basketball team opened the 2012-13 season Friday night and did it in a big way. Many people questioned how well the Pitt offense would perform, but if Friday night is any indication, it will be just fine. The Panthers jumped out to a 42-27 first half lead, thanks to an impressive performance shooting the basketball. Pitt shared the basketball well and knocked down 71 percent (34-of-48) of their shots on the night, en route to an 80-48 victory over Mount St. Mary’s. The ... Read More
Panthers Get Defensive in win vs. Hawaii-Hilo
This time it was a little bit more convincing. After struggling early in their first exhibition game against IUP, the Pitt Panthers had no such problems Friday night in the final exhibition game against Hawaii-Hilo. The Panthers scored the first eight points of the game and never looked back, en route to a 77-45 victory at the Petersen Events Center. Pitt scored 48 points in the paint on the night and were led by juniors J.J. Moore and Talib Zanna who each had13 points and ... Read More
Adams, Woodall Gain Big East Preseason Honors
The Big East Conference basketball coaches came out with their annual Coaches' Poll on Wednesday and the biggest thing coming from that was that seven-foot, 250-pound center Steven Adams was named the Big East Preseason Rookie of the Year. Adams became Pitt’s third preseason Big East Rookie of the Year selection and first since Vonteego Cummings earned the honor prior to the 1995-96 season. Jerome Lane also earned the honor before the 1985-86 campaign. In addition to Adams, point guard ... Read More