Pitt Basketball Season Preview: Panthers Aim to Use Toughness to Exceed Expectations
The Pitt men’s basketball program, under the leadership of head coach Jeff Capel in his eighth season, aims to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2022-23 season—the second tournament appearance under Capel.
Although the Panthers brought back three key contributors from last year, the roster has mostly been transformed by a wave of transfers and freshmen. This squad ranks as one of Capel’s least talented on paper but boasts increased size, toughness, and physicality to compete nightly in the challenging 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
- Guard Brandin Cummings appeared in 31 games as a freshman last season and earned four starts.
- Forward Cam Cohren, also a returnee, is poised to secure a starting role.
- Forward Papa Kante is expected to be a major part of the rotation.
The Panthers are focusing on building a gritty, united squad that relies on physicality and teamwork to overcome talent disparities in the ACC.
Author’s Summary
The Panthers seek to surpass expectations in 2025-26 by blending toughness and cohesion, despite a roster that may lack top-tier talent.
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