Pitt Basketball Season Preview: Panthers Look to Use Toughness to Exceed Expectations

Pitt Basketball Season Preview

Panthers Aim to Exceed Expectations Through Toughness

The Pitt men’s basketball team, under the leadership of 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 during Capel’s tenure. Despite a significant roster overhaul marked by numerous transfers and freshmen, the Panthers emphasize physicality and toughness.

Team Composition and Approach

While the current squad may appear less talented on paper compared to previous years, the Panthers have added size and grit to better compete in the ACC. Coach Capel stressed the importance of effort and unity over pure talent:

“We can’t be a team that thinks we can just show up. 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 – Guard who played in 31 games last season with four starts, expected to secure a starting role.
Cam Cohren – Forward and important contributor from last season, likely to remain a starter.
Papa Kante – Forward set to be a significant part of the rotation.

The team’s renewed focus on toughness and cohesiveness aims to compensate for a comparative lack of star power, creating a balanced and competitive squad for the 2025-26 season.

Author's summary: Pitt’s men’s basketball team, led by Jeff Capel, embraces toughness and unity to overcome talent gaps and pursue an NCAA Tournament return in 2025-26.

On3 — 2025-11-03