Pittsburgh Basketball: Ranking 2022-23 non-conference opponents
2. West Virginia Mountaineers
2021-22 record: 16-17 (4-14 in Big 12)
The Mountaineers have almost as many newcomers as Pittsburgh this offseason, adding three JUCO transfers and four D-I players. Joe Toussaint is a steady point guard from Iowa, while Erik Stevenson has been a double-digit scorer everywhere he’s been. 6’7 wing Emmitt Matthews, Jr. hails from Washington and is a solid two-way threat, while Tre Mitchell will be coming back home to Pittsburgh for the Backyard Brawl. He struggled last season at Texas but in two years prior at UMass, averaged around 18 ppg and 8.0 rpg.
With so many faces on both sides, it’s hard to tell who’ll have the advantage. West Virginia added a lot of offensive potential but there are some questions about how good they’ll be on the other end. That’s what makes the next battle in this rivalry such a “must watch” heading into next season.
1. All 3 teams in the Legends Classic
The matchups haven’t been released for the two-day event that Pittsburgh will take part in but with the exception of maybe the Mountaineers, I’d argue that Arizona State, Michigan, and VCU are better than any of the other teams in the non-conference. Here’s a quick look at each team that Pitt could face.
3. Arizona State Sun Devils
2021-22 season record: 14-17 (10-10 in Pac-12)
The Sun Devils have a completely revamped roster, thanks to 16 ppg Nevada transfer Desmond Cambridge and his brother, 6’6 wing Devan Cambridge. 7’0 center Warren Washington gives much-needed size, while Michigan transfer Frankie Collins likely runs the point. There’s a lot of firepower on offense but their defense is a major question still, as it has been under Bobby Hurley.
2. VCU Rams
2021-22 season record: 22-10 (14-4 in A-10)
The Rams have consistently been a top-10 defensive team in NCAA Basketball and even without Vince Williams and Hason Ward should still be elite in that area. What determines their ceiling is the offense, led by guards Ace Baldwin and Jayden Curry. If the frontcourt can give some production, they’ll score enough to win 20+ games once again.
1. Michigan Wolverines
2021-22 season record: 19-15 (11-9 in Big Ten)
Michigan lost a ton of talent this offseason but brought back its best player and All-American in Hunter Dickinson. He makes them a top-25 caliber program, joined by Princeton guard transfer Jaelin Llewellyn in the backcourt. Duke transfer Joey Baker provides needed shooting but there’s also a lot of youth in the rotation as well. Seeing Dickinson vs Hugley in the frontcourt would be a fun battle inside but how the guards play could determine the Panthers’ chances of pulling off an upset.
dark. Next. Top 26 team winners from offseason transfer portal
Overall, it’s not a strong schedule at all but if Pittsburgh Basketball can simply avoid losing the “buy games”, they’ll have some momentum heading into ACC play. They’ll have to win road games against Vandy and Northwestern to have any postseason hopes, while the Legends Classic will be the ultimate test of how good this new-look roster is for next season.