Pittsburgh Basketball: Ranking 2022-23 non-conference opponents

8. Sacred Heart Pioneers

2021-22 record: 10-20 (6-10 in NEC)

The team lost both of their leading scorers (Aaron Clarke and Tyler Thomas) to the portal but does return big man Nico Galette (12.4 ppg and 7.9 rpg), as well as role players, Alex Watson and Bryce Johnson. They add a couple of key guard transfers in Aidan Carpenter (Siena), Brendan McGuire (Quinnipiac), and Raheem Solomon (Niagara).

The trio from the MAAC has potential to become good scorers but there are major questions in the backcourt on paper. And considering that Clarke and Thomas averaged over 35 ppg last season and the Pioneers still finished in the bottom half of the Northeast Conference, it’s hard to say that they’ll be much better in 2022.

7. William & Mary Tribe

2021-22 record: 5-27 (4-14 in CAA)

The Panthers will see a familiar face in transfer Noah Collier, one of five newcomers from the portal to the rebuilding Tribe. He’ll be paired with returning leading scorer and rebounder Ben Wight (11.6 ppg and 5.5 rpg) in the frontcourt, while St. Thomas transfer Anders Nelson (14.6 ppg), Rice senior transfer Chris Mullins, and a pair of high-major freshmen transfers in Gabe Dorsey and Matteus Case are lottery tickets for the program to take a flyer on.

Add returning sophomore guard Tyler Rice is a potential breakout candidate to watch at the CAA level. This is a team that has potential based on the roster but not a ton of proven production, nor do they have that go-to guy. It certainly will be fun to see Collier versus Hugley down low when that happens.