SEASON PREVIEW Season Preview, 12-15 Pitt Preseason Storylines, 12 What Pitt Returns in 2013-14, 13 2014-15 Pitt Roster, 16 SEASON PREVIEW 2014-15 PITT BASKETBALL SEASON PREVIEW Three starters, 12 returning letterwinners will anchor a Pitt program that has advanced to the NCAA Tournament 12 times in the last 13 seasons Expectations have not changed To build upon that sustained for Pitt Basketball as the Panthers success for Pitt, three starters and will enter the 2014-15 season 12 letterwinners are back, along following a successful first year in with six of the team’s top eight the Atlantic Coast Conference. The scorers, eight of its top-10 2013-14 season saw the Panthers letterwinners, 59 percent of its post a successful 26-10 overall scoring, 68 percent of its rebound- record, finish in fifth place in ACC ing, 69 percent of its assist regular season play with an 11-7 production and 69 percent of its record, make a strong run in its minutes played in 2013-14. first-ever ACC Tournament and earn Pitt’s three returning starters— a 12th NCAA Tournament appear- senior guard Cameron Wright, ance in the last 13 years. That junior point guard James Robinson success is certainly nothing new for and sophomore power forward a Pitt Basketball program that has Michael Young return with a compiled one of the nation’s top-five combined 151 career starts. Those best winning percentages (.765, three players will provide leader- 345-106) over the past 13 seasons ship, scoring and balance to the (2001-14), emerged as one of only squad. seven schools nationwide to At off-guard, Wright is Pitt’s top advance to the NCAA Tournament in returning scorer (10.5 ppg.) who 12 of the last 13 years and totaled a was honored with the ACC’s Skip 152-70 league record which ranks Prosser Award which goes to the second in the ACC over the last 13 league’s top scholar-athlete in men’s seasons (2001-14). basketball. The aggressive, athletic PITT’S PRESEASON STORYLINES Pitt Basketball enters its second season in the Atlantic Coast Confer- ence. Pitt’s will play one of the league’s most demanding schedules as it plays two games apiece against both Syracuse and Louisville. Pitt’s 2014-15 ACC schedule includes home games against Boston College, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Miami, North Carolina, Notre Dame and Syracuse. Pitt begins its quest for a 13th NCAA Tournament appearance in the last 14 seasons and its 14th straight season with 20 or more victories. Youthful Pitt returns three starters, eight of its top 10 scorers, 59 percent of its overall scoring, 68 percent of its rebounding, 69 percent of its assist production and 69 percent of its minutes played. Pitt ranks among the nation’s top-5 programs in winning percentage (.765, 345-106) over the last 14 years. During that span, Pitt has made one NCAA Elite Eight appearance and five Sweet Sixteen appearances, captured six league titles and has advanced to 12 of the last 13 NCAA Tournaments. Combining the last 13 years, Pitt also owns the ACC’s second-best league regular season record (152-70) and conference Senior Cameron Wright enters his final collegiate season at Pitt. The ACC’s 2014 Skip Prosser Award winning percentage (.685) when comparing conference teams. winner averaged 10.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. Jamie Dixon enters his 12th season as Pitt’s head coach with a 288-96 overall record. His 288 victories rank as the fourth highest win total in NCAA Division I history after the first 11 seasons as a head coach. A and competitive Wright reached Junior small forward Durand four-time national coach of the year recipient, Dixon is the first coach in double figure scoring in 20 contests Johnson (8.8 ppg./22 3-pointers in school history to guide Pitt to eight straight NCAA Tournaments, 11 last year and has started 47 career 16 GP) will make a highly antici- consecutive 20-win seasons and 10 10-plus win seasons in the last 11 games. He will provide leadership pated return to the squad after he years in league play. He also currently ranks as the winningest coach in and scoring. Pitt’s point guard, suffered a season-ending ACL injury Big East Conference history (league games only) and is among the Robinson has started 68 of his 69 midway through the 2013-14 nation’s top-8 winningest active coaches by percentage. career games at Pitt. A Bob Cousy season. Johnson’s return gives Pitt Jamie Dixon enters the 2014-15 season play with a combined 27-10 overall record against other ACC programs. Award finalist, Robinson dished out a confident, energetic and dynamic Pitt will play a difficult non-conference schedule. It will compete in its 148 assists, ranked No. 6 nationally scorer and shooter. Guard Josh first-ever Maui Invitational from Nov. 24-26. Pitt plays host Chaminade on with a school-record 4.11 Newkirk (4.6 ppg./61 assists) and Nov. 24, then will matchup against either San Diego State or BYU in assist:turnover ratio and averaged forward Jamel Artis (4.9 ppg./2.9 game two. Arizona, Kansas State, Missouri and Purdue are possible third 7.6 points per game in 2013-14. At rpg.) both are back after providing round opponents. Pitt will also travel to Indiana for its ACC/Big Ten power forward, Young is back after key depth off the bench as Challenge matchup on Dec. 2. The non-conference slate also features a a productive freshman season that freshmen last year. Newkirk is an road game at Hawaii and contests against Oakland, Florida Gulf Coast, saw him average 6.0 points and 4.1 ultra-quick guard who adds speed St. Bonaventure, Manhattan and Holy Cross. All 32 Pitt Basketball games will be televised in 2014-15. Pitt is slated to rebounds per game with starts in all and quickness to the backcourt, play 13 games on national television in 2013-14. Overall, Pitt will appear 36 games. Young will be counted while Artis can play a variety of on national or regional television (RSN or ACC Network) 26 times. upon to provide scoring and positions and provides athleticism, rebounding up front. size, talent and shooting ability. 12 2014-15 PITT BASKETBALL SEASON PREVIEW WHAT PITT RETURNS IN 2014-15 Category Percent Returning Last year’s starters: ......................................................................60% (3 of 5) Last year’s total starts: ........................................................ 61% (109 of 180) Team’s top-10 in minutes played: ............................................... 80% (8of 10) Total minutes played: ................................................... 69.5% (5091 of 7325) Points scored: ............................................................... 58.6% (1516 of 2586) Field goals made: ............................................................. 59.6% (533 of 895) Field goal attempts: ..................................................... 62.3% (1213 of 1944) 3-point FG made: ............................................................. 56.3% (103 of 183) 3-point FG attempts: ........................................................ 60.1% (314 of 522) Free throws made: ........................................................... 56.6% (347 of 613) Free throw attempts: ....................................................... 56.3% (485 of 861) Offensive rebounds: .......................................................... 65.3% (282 of 432) Defensive rebounds: ......................................................... 62.2% (534 of 859) Total rebounds: ............................................................... 67.9% (876 of 1291) Personal fouls: .................................................................. 73.7% (457 of 620) Assists: .............................................................................. 69.2% (390 of 563) Turnovers: .......................................................................... 61.1% (226 of 373) Blocked Shots: ................................................................... 61.7% (66 of 107) Steals: ............................................................................... 71.2% (181 of 254) UPPER LEFT: Sophomore Jamel Artis will be expected to provide an offensive spark for the Panthers in 2014-15. UPPER RIGHT: Sophomore Michael Young started all 36 games last year at power forward. The Duquesne, Pa. native will provide Pitt production with his all-around game. MIDDLE: Teamwork has been a staple at Pitt through the years. This season, Pitt returns eight of its top-10 scorers from a deep squad. ABOVE: Senior Derrick Randall provided an offensive and defensive spark off the bench at both power forward and center last year. He has played in 93 career collegiate games. LEFT: Returnees Aron Phillips-Nwankwo, Chris Jones, Josh Newkirk, Derrick Randall and Michael Young will all play key roles for the Panthers in 2014-15. 13 SEASON PREVIEW 2014-15 PITT BASKETBALL Senior forward Derrick Randall (2.1 junior Durand Johnson averaged ppg./2.4 rpg.) will provide energy 8.8 points and 3.0 rebounds per and depth in the frontcourt, game. The energetic and exciting sophomore Chris Jones (2.4 ppg./ Johnson is best known for his 30 GP) gives Pitt stability in the spurts of instant offense off the backcourt at several different bench. Johnson’s size at 6-6 makes positions and 6-foot-10-inch center him a small forward, but his skill set Joseph Uchebo, who is coming off a allows him to play from on the successful summer, has the ability perimeter, where he converted 22 to give the Panthers quality minutes 3-pointers in limited action last year. in the post. Senior Derrick Randall is in his Four newcomers also join the Pitt final season at Pitt after transferring roster led by Vanderbilt transfer from Rutgers prior to the 2013-14 Sheldon Jeter (5.5 ppg./3.4 rpg. in season. Randall, who saw action in 2012-13), who adds talent, all 36 games, averaged 2.1 points experience and length in the and 2.4 rebounds, served as a low- frontcourt. Junior college transfer post backup at both power forward Tyrone Haughton along with true and center last year. He adds size, freshmen Cameron Johnson and strength, energy and physical play Ryan Luther will have the opportu- at both positions. nity to see playing time.