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Pittsburgh Basketball: Why Panthers will be better than West Virginia in 2019-20

By Vaughn Dalzell

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 14: Terrell Brown #21 of the Pittsburgh Panthers celebrates after an and one against the Florida State Seminoles at Petersen Events Center on January 14, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 14: Terrell Brown #21 of the Pittsburgh Panthers celebrates after an and one against the Florida State Seminoles at Petersen Events Center on January 14, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 14: Trey McGowens #2 of the Pittsburgh Panthers attempt a dunk against Terance Mann #41 of the Florida State Seminoles at Petersen Events Center on January 14, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 14: Trey McGowens #2 of the Pittsburgh Panthers attempt a dunk against Terance Mann #41 of the Florida State Seminoles at Petersen Events Center on January 14, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

One of the goals that come with Pittsburgh Basketball and West Virginia basketball each season is winning the Backyard Brawl. Here’s why the Panthers should not only be better in that game but also for the rest of the year.

Pittsburgh Basketball and West Virginia both finished last season in similar fashion finishing last in their conferences, however, the two programs seem to be headed in very different directions. Pitt’s win total increased to 14-19, 3-15 while West Virginia’s plummeted to 15-21, 4-14.

WVU finished third in the Big 12 for three-straight seasons (2015-17) making the NCAA Tournament four-straight years (2015-18) as No. 3, 4, 5 (twice) seeds. All four of those seasons, WVU had 25 or more wins.

The 15 wins in 2018-19, is the Mountaineers fewest games won since 2012-13 (13-19, 6-12). The Mountaineers overall have made 9 NCAA Tournament appearances and five Sweet 16’s in 12 seasons under Bob Huggins. The WVU alum and future Hall of Famer’s contract will keep him on the sideline following the 2021-22 season and possibility all the way through 2027 so the future of the 65-year-old isn’t at stake pending this season’s success.

Pitt is in season two with Jeff Capel and although the win totals increased from eight to 14 and zero to three in conference play; the Panthers remained last in the ACC. Credit the ACC is the toughest conference in the country, finishing last for the third-straight season doesn’t look likely for this young Panthers core.

Pitt returns four of five top scorers from a season ago, including leading-scorer sophomore Xavier Johnson. As a freshman, Johnson averaged 15.5 points per game and made the All-ACC Freshman Team. Johnson is one of many reasons why Pitt will be better than West Virginia this season.

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