Pitt Basketball Season Preview: Panthers Aim to Surpass Expectations with Toughness
The Pitt men’s basketball program, led by head coach Jeff Capel in his eighth year, is focused on returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2022-23 season and only the second time under Capel's leadership. The team has retained three key players from last season but features a significant roster overhaul with numerous transfers and freshmen joining the squad.
Although this may be one of Capel’s least talented teams on paper, the Panthers have added size, toughness, and physicality, which are expected to help balance the challenges posed by ACC opponents.
“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: Played in 31 games as a freshman last season and earned four starts. Expected to secure a starting role.
- Cam Cohren: A forward who contributed significantly last year and aims to lock in a starting spot.
- Papa Kante: Forward expected to be a main part of the rotation for the Panthers.
The Panthers’ strategy revolves around toughness and unity to overcome talent disparities and make a strong push in the competitive ACC this season.
Author's summary: Pitt’s basketball team under Jeff Capel aims to leverage physicality and teamwork despite talent gaps to secure an NCAA Tournament spot in 2025-26.