Pitt Basketball Season Preview
Panthers Aim to Exceed Expectations with Toughness
The Pitt men's basketball team, under head coach Jeff Capel in his eighth year, seeks a return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2022-23 season and the second under Capel. Despite significant roster changes with many transfers and freshmen, the Panthers emphasize physicality and toughness to compete in the ACC.
Team Composition and Approach
Only three key players returned from last year’s squad, making this one of Capel’s less talented teams on paper. However, the new roster brings increased size and grit to offset challenges they face against stronger ACC opponents.
“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.” — Jeff Capel
Key Returning Players
- Brandin Cummings, guard, played 31 games as a freshman and earned four starts last season, expected to secure a starting role.
- Cam Cohren, forward, contributed significantly last year and looks to be a consistent starter.
- Papa Kante, forward, projected to be a key rotation player for the Panthers.
Outlook
With a focus on toughness and team cohesion, Pitt hopes to leverage its physicality to compete effectively throughout the season and improve on past performance.
Jeff Capel leads the program for his eighth season, aiming to return to the NCAA Tournament with a rebuilt, tougher Panthers squad.
Author's takeaway: Pitt’s 2025-26 basketball team may lack elite talent but looks poised to challenge opponents through grit, size, and united effort under Jeff Capel’s leadership.