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
Dukes Win Overtime Thriller, 90-88
Pittsburgh—The Duquesne Dukes picked up their first win of the season Monday night against James Madison, in what Coach Ferry said was “truly a program win” for his young team. The Dukes were forced to go without star shooting guard Sean Johnson for the last several minutes of regulation and the entire overtime period due to cramps. But the younger players, namely Derrick Colter and Quevyn Winters were brilliant in the late stages of the game. “We showed a lot of growth in tonight’s game,” a ... Read More
Sub-regional of Progressive Legends Classic Comes to the Palumbo Center
Pittsburgh—On November 19-21st, Duquesne will host three teams in a round robin sub-regional tournament that is part of the Progressive Legends Classic. The sub-regional will feature two games each day, with 4:30 PM and 7:00 PM start times. Duquesne is scheduled to play in the 7:00 PM game all three days. James Madison, North Dakota State and Youngstown State will all be participating in the tournament. The sub-regional that will take place at the A.J. Palumbo Center this week is one of two ... 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 Inks 2 for Class of 2013
While the 2012-13 season is already off to a bang for the Pitt Panthers basketball team, head coach Jamie Dixon has been busy looking towards the future as well. Dixon signed a pair of student-athletes during the early signing period- guard Josh Newkirk and forward Michael Young. Newkirk stands 6'1" and is considered by many to be the best high school point guard in North Carolina. He's quick and explosive and can play both guard spots. He averaged 15.2 points per game as a junior last ... 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
Isaiah Watkins Joins the Court for Duquesne
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