Well that was more like it. After back-to-back disappointing losses to begin their final Big East Conference season, Jamie Dixon’s Pitt Panthers came out with a sense of urgency we haven’t seen in a while. The end result was a performance unlike any other we have seen this season and an impressive 73-45 road win over No. 19 Georgetown. Just when you thought it was safe to write the Panthers off, they got back to doing what they do best- playing strong defense. Freshman center Steven Adams ... 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
Panthers use strong second half to cruise past Howard
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
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
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
Strong Second half Powers Pitt Past Lehigh
After blowout wins in their opening two games, Jamie Dixon’s Pitt Panthers were sure to be tested more by a very good Lehigh team. And tested they were. For a half. Led by Tray Woodall and Talib Zanna, the Panthers came out of the locker room smoking hot in the second half and turned a close game into a route, defeating the Mountain Hawks 78-53 in Preseason NIT action at the Petersen Events Center. “That’s a very good team,” Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon said. ‘I thought all 10 of us ... 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