Pitt wrestling moves into 1st place in ACC after upset of No. 7 Virginia Tech
Pitt wrestling holds first place in the ACC dual standings after a decisive upset of nationally ranked Virginia Tech, 26-12. The Panthers won 7 of 10 bouts from the Hokies (7-3, 1-1) on Friday night in Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, Va. It was Pitt’s first victory in Blacksburg since 2004....
Pitt Take 5: Miami game starts 10-game stretch that will define Panthers’ season
Pitt embarks on a crucial 10-game stretch Saturday when it attempts to rise above third place in the ACC with a game against No. 20 Miami at Petersen Events Center. Both teams are 7-3 in the conference. A victory probably adds another brick to Pitt’s status as an NCAA Tournament...
If there’s McDonald’s in that bag, Miami coach Jim Larranaga might be ‘lovin’ it’Video
If the celebrated prankster, who appeared to carry a bag of food onto the court at Duquesne on Wednesday, wants to move his act a couple miles up to the road to Petersen Events Center, Miami coach Jim Larranaga probably won’t have him removed. “I love McDonald’s,” Larranaga said Thursday...
2 Penn State athletes, 1 from Pitt land NIL deal with WWE
Two Penn State University athletes have landed Name-Image-Likeness deals with WWE through its “Next In Line” program. WWE said this is its third class of 15 college athletes to join the program. This class includes Penn State athletes, two-time NCAA All-American wrestler Greg Kerkvliet and Nick Dawkins, a lineman for...
There’s no explaining some of the plays that led Pitt to victory against Wake Forest
There were a few funny elements to Pitt’s 81-79 victory against Wake Forest on Wednesday night. Not funny, “ha-ha,” but funny strange. Set aside for a moment that Pitt won its seventh of 10 ACC games, a victory total that’s been unreachable by a Panthers team for the previous six...
Pitt rides hot hand beyond the arc to 81-79 victory against Wake Forest
For the past 30 years, Jeff Capel has been true to the basics of good basketball. Play solid defense, share the basketball, take appropriate shots inside and outside the 3-point line, step up and take a charge once in while and, for goodness sakes, rebound. But at the age of...
Former WPIAL football stars return home to accept new challenges at Pitt
Donovan McMillon remembers the first time he was on the same football field with Phil Jurkovec. From McMillon’s perspective, it wasn’t a pretty sight. Jurkovec’s Pine-Richland team beat McMillon and Peters Township, 56-7, on the way to the Rams winning WPIAL and PIAA 6A championships in 2017. “I was a...
Pitt’s bubble status at stake this week vs. Wake Forest, Miami
Jeff Capel wouldn’t take the bubble bait. Of course, Pitt’s coach understands the significance of the last 11 regular-season games. After all, Capel and his players created this NCAA Tournament talk — as premature as it might be — by winning their 13th game Jan. 18 (faster than any of...
Pitt’s Jeff Capel makes connecting with his players a priority
There was a moment Saturday in the heat of Pitt’s loss to Florida State that players gathered around Jeff Capel during a timeout. With passion showing in his face, he was teaching, encouraging and making his players aware of all that was awaiting them on the court. At one point,...
Jerome Lane’s rim-rattling, glass-breaking dunk still a grand slam 35 years laterVideo
Jerome Lane, a player who dominated Big East backboards for two seasons, said his legendary slam was “just another dunk.” The only difference? “Just the glass coming down,” he said. Oh, is that all? The dunk occurred Jan. 25, 1988, in Pitt’s Big East game against Providence at Fitzgerald Field...
Matriculating from the Canary Islands, Diaz Graham twins make Pitt their 2nd home
He attacks from behind, always with a weapon in his hands. Every day. And gets away with it. “When he has that blocking pad in his hand, you better be ready for anything,” Pitt freshman Guillermo Diaz Graham said of associate head coach Tim O’Toole. It’s all part of how...
Jennifer Bruce Scott honored to have jersey retired at Pitt
Jennifer Bruce Scott has worn several hats in the game of basketball over the years, from a high school and collegiate competitor to high school coach at Winchester Thurston, Penn Hills, Gateway and Plum and now as a high school referee. Her standout four years on the hard court at...
Pitt gets commitment from 2024 running back Juelz Goff
Pitt has all but finalized its 2023 recruiting class, but coach Pat Narduzzi was working Saturday on the 2024 group. 1000%???????? pic.twitter.com/oDyN6AG8Yd— Juelz Goff (@JuelzGoff) January 21, 2023 Running back Juelz Goff of Central York High School made a verbal commitment to Pitt while attending the Florida State/Pitt basketball game...
Pitt shooting, defense go cold in loss to Florida State
The voices coming from the seats at Petersen Events Center were loud and expressive. Not quite like the old days at the Pete, but encouraging for a program trying to return to relevance. A crowd of 10,390 — more than 3,000 above the average attendance this season for Pitt basketball...
Pitt gets commitment from Florida transfer wide receiver Daejon Reynolds
Pitt made a move Friday to bolster a position that needed help. After losing three players over the past four months, Pitt secured a verbal commitment from transfer wide receiver Daejon Reynolds. #H2P what’s good! pic.twitter.com/w9FBnIO7zk— DR (@DaejonReynolds) January 20, 2023 Reynolds (6-foot-2, 204 pounds) was rated a four-star prospect...
Pitt Take 5: Too early to talk about the NCAA Tournament, but we’re doing it anyway
The talk is way, way premature, and Jeff Capel and his players don’t want to hear it. But in recent days, there have been more than an occasional reference or question about Pitt’s worthiness for a berth in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Did you see the prediction of a Pitt/Penn...
Pitt reaches 13 victories at earliest point in 7 seasons
In six seasons between Jamie Dixon’s departure and Jeff Capel finally injecting renewed energy into the program, Pitt has won at least 13 games three times. The Panthers (13-6, 6-2) reached that milestone — admittedly low-hanging fruit — Wednesday night at Louisville with a 75-54 victory, their most decisive against...
Pitt pounds Louisville, improves to 6-2 in ACC games
If the numbers on Greg Elliott’s stat line looked bad, he either didn’t notice or merely believed a reversal of misfortune was in order. He trusted his ability to make shots, kept firing and ended up Wednesday night with a Pitt career-high 23 points in a 75-54 victory against Louisville...
Pitt/Notre Dame renewal set in South Bend after 5-year absence
Pitt’s historic series with Notre Dame that includes a four-overtime victory, a three-overtime loss and Tony Dorsett running the length of three football fields returns to South Bend, Ind., next season for the first time in five years. Never too soon to think about next season ... Jerry DiPaola...
First Call: Kenny Pickett endorses keeping Matt Canada, drafting Jordan Addison; Titans tackle may be eyeing up Steelers
Wednesday’s “First Call” has two endorsements from Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett. One is for a current coach, another is for a former Pitt teammate. An AFC rival may be making eyes at the Steelers if he gets to free agency. The Penguins are preparing for a home-and-home with a...
Pitt coach Jeff Capel can relate to Louisville’s struggles
Jeff Capel said he understands what Louisville coach Kenny Payne is enduring this season. When Pitt and Louisville get together Wednesday night at the KFC Yum! Center, the Panthers (12-6, 5-2) will meet an opponent that has sunk as low as any team can go. Last in the ACC, Louisville...
Pitt overcomes roster shakeup to edge toward top of ACC
When Jeff Capel gathered his rebuilt team around him in September, he was hopeful that as many as 12 players could earn significant playing time as Pitt’s season progressed. Although he had no idea how — or if — so many new faces could mesh together smoothly, he knew there...
Nike Sibande’s season-best afternoon propels Pitt to victory at Georgia Tech
Taking a two-game losing streak into Saturday’s tipoff at Georgia Tech, Pitt successfully regrouped, picking up a key ACC win in Atlanta, 71-60. It was Pitt’s first win at McCamish Pavilion. The Panthers (12-6, 5-2 ACC) were propelled by guard Nike Sibande, who scored a career-high 21 points on 7-of-12...
Pitt forward John Hugley IV to miss remainder of season, seek redshirt year
Pitt junior forward John Hugley IV will miss the remainder of the season, as he is opting to take a step back from basketball “while coping with mental health challenges as well as recovery and reconditioning from a preseason injury.” Team officials announced Hugley’s decision Saturday afternoon. Hugley earned honorable...
Pitt to celebrate anniversary of Jerome Lane’s famous dunkVideo
Pitt will celebrate one of the most memorable highlights in college basketball history Jan. 25 as the Panthers host Wake Forest at the Petersen Events Center. “Send it in, Jerome!” night will celebrate the 35th anniversary of Jerome Lane’s backboard-shattering dunk from Jan. 24, 1987, against Providence. “SEND IT IN...