Six-foot-eight power forward Isaiah Watkins became the first member of the 2013-2014 Duquesne basketball recruiting class this Thursday. Watkins attended St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey. As a junior he averaged 8.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists, while helping his team to a 35-3 record and a No. 21 national ranking by USA Today. Watkins chose to attend Duquesne University over Miami, Arkansas, and Villanova, among others. “I know they’re in the rebuilding ... 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
A look around the Atlantic 10
It’s a season of new horizons for the Atlantic-10. This summer, the conference celebrated the addition of two strong programs, Butler and VCU, to their already touted mix of teams. Both of these schools have made noise in the NCAA tournament in recent years. Pitt fans still may have a sour taste in their mouths from their 71-70 loss to Butler in the third round of the 2011 NCAA tournament. Butler would then storm on to their 2nd Final Four appearance in two seasons. VCU had a Cinderella run of ... Read More
James Robinson Aces Early Season Test For Panthers
Usually when a player finishes a game with a stat line that reads two points on 1-of-8 shooting, two assists and two rebounds, he is not going to be a hot topic of discussion during a postgame press conference. But that wasn't the case with Pitt freshman guard James Robinson. If you look at Robinson's line during Pitt's 78-53 win over Lehigh on Tuesday night in Preseason NIT action, you would think that Robinson didn't have a very good game. But just the opposite was true as the freshman ... Read More
Duquesne’s Colter Brings New Life to Point Guard Position
Pittsburgh—Many Duquesne fans were devastated when they heard the news last March: 3rd team All-Conference point guard T.J. McConnell to transfer out of Duquesne. McConnell, who ran Duquesne’s offense the past two years, was also the Atlantic-10 Freshman of the Year in 2011. In addition to McConnell’s departure, the Dukes were plagued with the loss of sophomore guard Mike Talley. At the conclusion of last season, things looked pretty hopeless for the Dukes. Even though the team was undersized ... 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
Panthers Get Up Close Look at Lehigh’s McCollum
On paper, an early season tilt between a perennial Big East Conference power in Pitt and a Lehigh out of the Patriot League screams mismatch. But that won't exactly be true when the Panthers and Mountain Hawks meet Tuesday night in the second round of the Preseason NIT at the Petersen Events Center. The reason why is fairly simple- Lehigh's C.J. McCollum. Lehigh returns 82 percent of their scoring and 80 percent of their rebounding from a team that upset Duke in last year's NCAA ... Read More
John Johnson No Longer a Member of Pitt Basketball Team
Pitt sophomore guard John Johnson expressed his frustrations with not playing in Friday's opener against Mount St. Mary's. That has led to Johnson no longer being a member of the Pitt team as the Panthers prepared to begin the Preseason NIT against Fordham on Monday night. Johnson didn't show up for practice or shoot around and Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon said during his postgame press conference that Johnson would be transferring from the program. "I talked to John a few times over the ... 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
Chris Jones and Aron Nwankwo Likely to Redshirt for Panthers
One tidbit, though expected, that came from Jamie Dixon's initial postgame press conference was the fact that guard-forward Chris Jones and forward Aron Nwankwo will both likely redshirt this season. "I liked what I saw from us tonight and I like how deep we are as a team," said Dixon after the Panthers defeated Mount St. Mary's. "That will make it an easier decision to probably redshirt Chris and Aron this season." Jones is a true freshman from Teaneck, N.J. who didn't sign with the ... Read More