Since the Big East Conference season began for the Pitt Panthers’ basketball team, it has been one nail biter after another for the Panthers. With that being said, Jamie Dixon’s squad needed a cakewalk for a change and they got one in the form of the DePaul Blue Demons Saturday afternoon at the Petersen Events Center. Everything went Pitt’s way from the opening tip as the Panthers cruised to a 93-55 victory, setting a school record for largest Big East Conference victory in program ... Read More
Lamar Patterson stepping up to ignite Pitt offense
The Pitt Panthers have always been a team known for playing defense and this 2012-13 version of the Panthers is no exception to that rule. After holding the Providence Friars to 64 points in Pitt's 68-64 victory on Tuesday, the Panthers have held 19 of their 20 opponents on the season under 70 points. But while defense is still the backbone of Jamie Dixon's program, they still need a potent enough offense to win games. When it comes to scoring the basketball, Pitt's biggest strength is ... Read More
Pitt’s road back to NCAA Tournament a matter of opinion
Jamie Dixon's Pitt Panthers have become accustomed to playing in March and other than last season's disappointing season which saw Pitt miss the NCAA Tournament for the first time in Dixon's tenure; they usually are assured a spot in the "Big Dance." That should hold true this season as well as baring a major collapse down the stretch, Pitt should be one of the 68 teams selected to compete for the National Championship. Sitting at 3-3 in the Big East, they will likely have to win seven more ... Read More
Pitt’s Trey Zeigler starting to earn Jamie Dixon’s trust
Trey Zeigler's first season as a member of the Pitt basketball program has been a roller coaster ride to say the least. The Central Michigan transfer, who averaged 15.8 points per game a season ago, was thought to provide an immediate scoring option off the bench for the Panthers this season. But things haven't exactly gone the way Zeigler probably thought they would as the junior is only averaging 5.1 points per game in barely over 15 minutes per game. He came out of the gates slow; ... Read More
Pitt holds off U Conn rally to escape with 69-61 win
Jamie Dixon’s Pitt Panthers have made it a trend the first couple weeks of the Big East Conference season of playing their best basketball away from the Petersen Events Center. That trend ended Saturday afternoon as the Panthers finally won a conference game at home, defeating a gutsy Connecticut team 69-61. In typical Pitt (15-4, 3-3) fashion, it was a nail biter as the Panthers blew a 14point lead, only to see the Huskies tie the game at 55 with 4:38 remaining. But unlike the previous ... Read More
Tray Woodall could play vs. Villanova
One thing was pretty much absent during Pitt’s most recent loss to Marquette- the presence of point guard Tray Woodall. Woodall suffered a concussion during Saturday’s loss and played only four minutes, but that likely won’t be the case Wednesday night against Villanova as the senior floor general says he will be ready to go and plans to play. The fifth-year senior was injured at in the first half Saturday when he collided head-first with Golden Eagles guard Derrick Wilson. Woodall said he ... Read More
Pitt Digs Early Hole; Upset by Rutgers
Many wondered how playing a soft non-conference schedule would impact No. 24 Pitt as it headed into Big East Conference play. They got their answer Saturday afternoon against Rutgers. Jamie Dixon's Panthers fell behind by as many as 16 in the first half, digging themselves an early hole too big to climb out of as they were upset by the Scarlet Knights 67-62, losing their second consecutive conference game to open up their final Big East season. For the second consecutive game, the ... Read More
Pitt Drops Big East Opener to Cincinnati
The final season in the Big East Conference did not begin the way Jamie Dixon would have hoped it would. No. 24 Pitt blew an eight point second half lead and ultimately lost their conference opener 70-61 to No. 14 Cincinnati. Despite playing a soft non-conference schedule, Pitt showed they could compete with the top teams in the nation, but similar to the way they fell to No.2 Michigan, the Panthers couldn’t do enough to beat a good team. A Cameron Wright jumper right before the half ... Read More
Pitt’s Malcom Gilbert to transfer
The University of Pittsburgh Men's Basketball team has lost another player- their fifth in the past 20 months. Head coach Jamie Dixon announced on Thursday that redshirt sophomore center Malcolm Gilbert has decided to transfer due to family-related reasons. “Malcolm has asked for his release and has informed me that he wants to play with his brother,” Dixon said. “He’s a great kid, hard worker and good player. We thank Malcolm for his contribution to our program over the last year and a ... Read More
Unselfishness: A Rare, but Useful Key to Victory for Pitt
Article by Mike Decker The Pittsburgh University men’s basketball team defeated Bethune-Cookman University by the final lopsided score of 89 to 40 on Saturday, Dec. 15 at The Petersen Event Center. The Panthers set the tempo very early in the competition when junior forward Talib Zanna nailed two big baskets to start the game. The second of which was a thunderous alley-oop set up by senior guard Tray Woodall. Woodall finished the game registering just two points, but tacked on ten dimes in ... Read More