Pittsburgh Basketball: 2020-21 season preview for the Panthers
What are the right expectations for Pittsburgh Basketball heading into the 2020-21 season?
After going an incredibly disappointing 0-18 in ACC play just a couple of years ago, Pittsburgh Basketball continues its rebuilding process under head coach Jeff Capel. Last season, the Panthers showed some signs of life, going 16-17 overall and winning six games in the conference.
It still was tied for last place but two of those wins did come against a bad North Carolina team, as well as the season-opening victory over Florida State, who themselves went on to win the ACC regular-season title.
From a roster standpoint, there were certain positives and negatives for Pittsburgh. Freshman wing/forward Justin Champagnie had a breakout campaign, leading the team last season with 12.7 ppg and 7.0 rpg. Au’Diese Toney found his place in the rotation as a sophomore and as a team, the Panthers were better than third-worst in scoring as they did the year prior.
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On the other hand, the backcourt went from what was supposed to be a strength to being an inconsistent mess. Guards Xavier Johnson, Trey McGowens, and Ryan Murphy never were able to co-exist, considering that all are somewhat ball-dominant perimeter players. Johnson still led the team with 4.9 apg but saw the rest of his numbers drop elsewhere.
With both McGowens and Muprhy transferring out, as well as senior center Eric Hamilton graduating, Pittsburgh Basketball will have some new faces in the rotation. But will it be good enough to get out the bottom of the ACC? And can its star guard get back into form?
Here’s a closer look at the Panthers as the 2020-21 season soon gets underway.