Pitt Basketball Season Preview: Panthers Aim to Harness Toughness
The University of Pittsburgh men's basketball team, under the leadership of head coach Jeff Capel in his eighth season, seeks to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2022-23 season and only the second time under Capel.
Team Composition and Strategy
While the Panthers retained three key players from last season, the roster has been reshaped significantly with numerous transfers and incoming freshmen. Despite being one of the less talented squads on paper, the team emphasizes size, toughness, and physicality to compete effectively in the competitive ACC.
“We can’t be a team that thinks we can just show up,” Capel said after the team’s second exhibition. “There is a certain way that we have to show up. We aren’t one of these teams that is just going to out-talent you. We have talent but we don’t have the type of talent that some of these teams do. But if we are tough, and we are together, and we play with an edge, then we can be a really good team.”
Key Returning Players
- Brandin Cummings – Guard who played in 31 games as a freshman and started four times, expected to secure a starting role this season.
- Cam Cohren – Forward and impactful contributor looking to cement a starting spot.
- Papa Kante – Forward expected to be a crucial part of the rotation.
The Panthers aim to leverage their grit and cohesion to exceed expectations despite a comparatively limited talent pool.
Summary: Pitt's basketball team, led by Jeff Capel, focuses on toughness and unity to overcome talent gaps as they target a return to the NCAA Tournament in the 2025-26 season.
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