Blake Hinson’s historic night propels Pitt over Louisville
Dominant performances from Blake Hinson have not been rare since he joined Pitt as a transfer from Iowa State ahead of last season. In less than two full seasons, the 6-foot-8 senior firmly has established a reputation for big-time offensive contributions, solid rebounding and being a player who doesn’t often...
Pitt aims to continue push toward NCAA Tournament berth vs. last-place Louisville
Don’t let the wintry forecast fool you, Pitt basketball buffs. Sunny days are here again. Winners of six games in their past seven outings, including victories over No. 9 Duke and No. 21 Virginia, the Panthers (16-8, 7-6 ACC) are back Saturday in search of more good times in a...
Pitt’s freshman backcourt duo of Lowe, Carrington growing up quickly
They have begun writing their own special story, an intriguing script any coach would peruse with utter delight. Pitt’s ascending freshman backcourt tandem is growing up fast. With the Panthers’ improving season getting even better with Tuesday night’s 74-63 victory at No. 21 Virginia that ended the Cavaliers’ Division I-leading...
Pitt early enrollees adjust to new coaches, share impressions of Kade Bell’s offense
What do Pitt freshmen Julian Dugger, Cameron Monteiro, Juelz Goff and Moritz Schmoranzer have in common? Certainly not position or place of origin. But for starters, all of them are early enrollees currently in their first semester at Pitt. So to varying degrees — for example, Dugger is a Penn...
Pitt names Tim Daoust, formerly of East Carolina, as new defensive line coach
Pitt added a new member to its football coaching staff Wednesday, with coach Pat Narduzzi tapping Tim Daoust to oversee the defensive line. Daoust joins the Panthers from East Carolina, where he coached the defensive line and outside linebackers in addition to coordinating special teams from 2021-23. He replaces longtime...
Improving special teams, getting more from tight ends on to-do list for new Pitt assistant coach Jacob Bronowski
Inefficient special teams would rank well down the list of reasons Pitt suffered its worst season since 1998 last year. However, special teams weren’t exactly a strength, which partially led to coach Pat Narduzzi shuffling the deck in January and hiring Jacob Bronowski from Miami (Ohio) to coordinate those units....
After upsetting another top ACC foe, Pitt shoots back into NCAA Tournament conversation
Jeff Capel expressed complete confidence in his team’s ability to shoot the basketball after Tuesday’s 74-63 upset win at No. 21 Virginia. In the process, Pitt has shot back into the NCAA Tournament discussion. Winners of four straight conference games, the Panthers (16-8, 7-6 ACC) have climbed into a tie...
First Call: Familiar landing spot for Mitch Trubisky? Ex-Steelers coach takes ACC job; more Penguins trade speculation
Wednesday’s “First Call” has a potential destination for ex-Steeler Mitch Trubisky. There is more talk of Mason Rudolph jumping ship. A former Steelers player is staying in Kansas City. A former Steelers coach is heading to the ACC. And add a current Penguin to the trade speculation engulfing Jake Guentzel....
Pitt snaps No. 21 Virginia’s home winning streak of 23
Remember that victory last month at Cameron? Add John Paul to the list. The Pitt basketball team is on a roll. In a hot streak that began Jan. 20 with a four-point victory against Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium, the Panthers continued their sizzling surge Tuesday night by knocking off...
Penn State has 10 players invited to NFL Combine, Pitt lands 3 on list
For a team that won 10 games and played in the Peach Bowl, Penn State was rewarded Tuesday in the number of players selected to attend the annual NFL Combine. The Nittany Lions will have 10 former players attend the pre-draft event, which will conduct testing Feb. 29-March 3 at...
Surging Pitt faces big challenge in road game with defensive-minded Virginia
When Virginia basketball is mentioned, the Cavaliers get defensive. Isn’t that the point? After all, they have led the ACC in scoring defense for 12 consecutive seasons, and they’re back on top of the heap again this year — and rank third nationally — with an average of 57.7 points...
Shift in offensive philosophy at Pitt forces ‘difficult’ staff changes
In the Pitt football offices, the word of the day this winter is fast, and that won’t change in the spring, summer or fall. Pitt will move faster this season, snapping the football perhaps as soon as seven seconds after the previous play. “After spring ball, our guys will say...
Dan Marino, Scarlett Johansson have fun with almost being champions in Super Bowl ad
LAS VEGAS — Actor Scarlett Johansson and NFL and University of Pittsburgh legend Dan Marino come from different professions, but they have two things in common: Both have a sweet tooth and an infatuation with M&Ms. Johansson and Marino will star in the Super Bowl commercial that will focus on...
What does Pitt need to do to earn an NCAA Tournament berth?
To gauge Pitt’s — or any team’s — chances to reach the NCAA Tournament, you must accept the first commandment of Bracketology: All victories count one in the standings but are not equal. It’s true the Panthers (15-8, 6-6 ACC) have won five of their past six games, six of...
Pitt’s Jorge Diaz Graham has ankle surgery, will miss remainder of season
Pitt sophomore forward Jorge Diaz Graham, who hasn’t played since Jan. 16, is lost for the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery on his left ankle Thursday afternoon. He is expected to return for the 2024-25 season. Diaz Graham was a significant part of coach Jeff Capel’s rotation before...
Pitt beats N.C. State to inch closer to NCAA Tournament bubble
Two years ago, Pitt had lost 12 games in a row to N.C. State, a period spanning most of the Panthers’ time in the ACC. Now, after a 67-64 victory Wednesday night at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C., the streak is going the other way. Pitt has won the past...
Pitt notebook: Changes in college football could make NFL a welcome oasis for coaches
Over the past week, the ACC lost two important coaches to the NFL. Former Boston College coach Jeff Hafley jumped to the Green Bay Packers as their defensive coordinator. Charlie Partridge, who had been Pitt’s assistant head coach and defensive line coach since 2017 and was part of the collegiate...
Pitt’s Kade Bell on being an offensive coordinator: ‘It’s what I feel I was put on this earth to do’
At one point Wednesday during his first news conference as Pitt’s offensive coordinator, Kade Bell’s voice cracked, his emotions trickling out noticeably. He was talking about how his father, Kerwin Bell, believed in him as a 24-year-old assistant coach at Valdosta (Ga.) State. “You’re 24 years old and you’re a...
Pitt, N.C. State set to tangle in Raleigh, hoping to polish their reputations
Over the next week that includes two difficult road games, Pitt can enhance or damage its reputation relative to the rest of the ACC. Going into its game Wednesday night in Raleigh, N.C., against N.C. State, Pitt (14-8, 5-6) is tied for eighth in the 15-team conference, a middle-of-the-road team...
Pitt gets verbal commitment from DE Trevor Sommers, 1st from class of 2025
Coach Pat Narduzzi received Pitt’s first verbal commitment from a member of the class of 2025 on Monday when defensive end Trevor Sommers pledged to enroll next year. Committed!! #H2P @CoachDuzzPittFB @Pitt_FB @CoachHarriott @STA_Football pic.twitter.com/BCdvi2q0NU— Trevor Sommers (@trevorsommers90) February 5, 2024 Sommers, a junior at St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort...
No matter the score, Pitt’s Jeff Capel continually tries to teach players proper habits
The game was winding down Saturday night, and people inside Petersen Events Center were gathering their belongings and preparing to leave, secure in the knowledge that Pitt’s 62-46 lead with 3 minutes, 5 seconds to play would turn into a victory. But there was one more TV timeout on the...
Pitt assistant coach Charlie Partridge leaving for the NFL
In an offseason of significant staff transition, Pitt football is losing another assistant, with the news Monday morning that defensive line and assistant head coach Charlie Partridge is heading to the NFL. FootballScoop.com reported Partridge will coach the Indianapolis Colts’ defensive line. Over the past seven seasons, Partridge made his...
Continued ‘efficiency’ on offense, more ‘explosions’ would help Pitt in final stretch
The word that might best describe Pitt’s victory against Notre Dame is “efficient.” That’s how the school’s news release accurately labeled it Saturday night. After some anxious moments in the first half and a 30-30 tie early in the second, there was little doubt Pitt was destined to defeat the...
Pitt runs away from Notre Dame, wins 4th game in past 5
Pitt’s 70-60 victory Saturday night against Notre Dame at Petersen Events Center continued Pitt’s slow ascent toward respectability and a .500 record in the ACC. To be sure, Pitt put enough on display to defeat Notre Dame, a team trying to find itself amidst a 7-15 record (2-9 in the...
How Jamie Dixon, Jeff Capel almost reached the Final Four as opposing coaches
Coaches don’t typically play the what-if game. They prefer to dwell on how seasons actually develop, their logical thought process recognizing that no championships are won upon someone’s speculation. On that count, Jamie Dixon didn’t disappoint. The man deals in reality like it’s a royal mandate. On the 15th anniversary...
