The 2017-18 basketball season for the Pittsburgh Panthers was ugly, to say the very least. With a record of (8-24) to finish off their season, the Panthers look to change that this year. Unfortunately, nothing is seeming that they will have any help to do so. The have a lot of major losses and will need a miracle for something better. Hopefully, their new head coach, Jeff Capel, can help out with their issues.
Returning Players:
Pittsburgh returns three of their starting five from last year and it doesn’t seem to be the ones they want gone either. This means they get back Khameron Davis (forward), Jared Wilson-Frame (forward), and Terrell Brown (center). Davis served as the Panther’s small forward for the 17-18 season with a shallow (1.4) points a game and (2.4) rebounds a game. I am sure that his role will majorly jump this season under Jeff Capel. Next, Wilson-Frame had a great stat-line for last year’s tenure with (15.0) points averaged a game and a (3.0) rebound average, as well. Ever since his transfer from Northwest Florida State, Wilson-Frame has shown that he has an earned spot on the roster. Finally, we get to the convent center in Terrell Brown. Brown had averaged a mere (5.6) points and (4.0) rebounds in his games last year. I do see that line moving up, as Capel will try to include him into his new system.
Incoming Players:
The recruiting class that the Panthers managed to pull in was just what it needed. This blend of players looks good in the scheme of better ball movement and play IQ. Pittsburgh brings in three athletes in 4-star recruit Au’Diese Toney (guard), 4-star recruit Trey McGowens (guard), and 3-star recruit Xavier Johnson (guard). All three of these new recruits for the Panthers displayed a great deal of offense for their respective high schools and academies. One, especially, makes me interested in what Pittsburgh can do in the near future and this would be Au’Diese Toney. This is because his height standing at (6″6) is closely related to defensive success at the position and reminds of a Jimmy Butler type. And if this kid is anything that he is poised to be, then the Panthers have little worries.
Key Games:
Nov. 21 v. Saint Louis – Last year we saw a surge of this team when it was their turn to face other ACC foe, Virginia Tech. Pittsburgh will look to avoid the same fate as the Hokies in this matchup at Barclays.
Dec. 8 at West Virginia – This West Virginia team, last year, had a heightened sense of urgency and that alarmed many teams. This was the case that they knocked off powerhouse, Virginia, at the time of their non-conference slate. The Panthers will want to keep the Mountaineers on check on December 8th.
Feb. 27 v. Clemson – This game will cap off the Panther’s three game home stretch and will be crucial for them. If the Panthers can play hard and tough through these three games against Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, and Clemson, they will be causing chaos.
Projected Season:
Record: 12-19
ACC Tournament: Second Round
NCAA Tournament: MISS
Photo Credits: https://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/03/pittsburgh-coach-kevin-stallings-sheldon-jeter-transfer
